Learn Spanish Wine

The Basque region of Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, also boasts a unique and prestigious winemaking tradition. Among its most celebrated contributions to the world of wine is the Txakoli (Chacolí), a lightly sparkling, dry white wine that is emblematic of Basque hospitality and cuisine. Predominantly produced in the coastal areas of Getaria, Bizkaia, and Álava, Txakoli is characterized by its high acidity and low alcohol content, making it a refreshing choice, especially when paired with the region's seafood dishes. Looking for more ways to learn? Try our course today.

Wine from the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Africa but politically part of Spain, is gaining international acclaim for its unique and diverse wines, thanks to the islands' volcanic soils and the ancient vines that thrive in them. The extreme landscape creates a microclimate where vines are planted at various altitudes, from sea level up to the slopes of the mountains, including those on terraces carved into the volcanic rock. This results in a wide array of wine styles, from crisp, mineral-driven whites made from the Listán Blanco grape to aromatic and complex reds from Listán Negro and Negramoll. We go deeper into this and a lot more inside of our Spanish Wine Course.

Galicia, located in the northwest corner of Spain, is a unique wine region distinguished by its lush, verdant landscapes, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. This cool, rainy region is a stark contrast to the arid climates typically associated with Spanish wine regions, providing a perfect environment for growing high-acidity white grape varieties. We cover Galicia, Rias Baixas and the Albariño grape well in our course. Sign up now!

Montilla-Moriles, located in the southern Spanish region of Andalucía, is renowned for its exceptional wines, particularly its fortified Pedro Ximénez (PX) varieties, which stand as a testament to the area's rich winemaking heritage. This region produces wines that are often compared to Sherry, owing to their similar production methods, but Montilla-Moriles wines distinguish themselves through the exclusive use of the Pedro Ximénez grape. This grape is sun-dried to concentrate its sugars, resulting in wines with a profound sweetness and depth of flavor, characterized by notes of fig, raisin, and molasses. Beyond the celebrated sweet wines, the region also produces dry whites, finos, and amontillados, which are appreciated for their complexity and nutty, oxidative profiles. The unique terroir, marked by its albariza soil – a bright, chalky substrate ideal for viticulture – contributes significantly to the distinct character of Montilla-Moriles wines, making them a cherished component of Andalucía's gastronomic identity.

Valencia, located along the eastern coast of Spain, is a dynamic and diverse wine region that marries the ancient with the modern in its viticultural practices. The region benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate, which is ideal for the cultivation of a wide range of grape varieties, producing an array of wine styles from robust reds and aromatic whites to refreshing rosés and luscious sweet wines.

The Tempranillo grape is a quintessential Spanish varietal, renowned for its pivotal role in producing some of the country's most celebrated red wines, particularly those from the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. Characterized by its deep ruby color, Tempranillo wines offer a harmonious blend of flavors, including berries, plum, tobacco, vanilla, and leather, often enriched through aging in oak barrels. We cover all of the regions and grapes you need to know in our course. Sign up now!

Garnacha, or Grenache as it is known internationally, is one of Spain's most widely planted and versatile red wine grapes, originating from the northern regions of Aragón and Catalonia. Famed for its contribution to the lush, fruit-driven wines of Priorat, as well as being a crucial component in the blends of Rioja, Garnacha wines are celebrated for their rich raspberry and strawberry flavors, accented by spicy, peppery notes. The grape thrives in Spain's hot, dry climates, producing wines with high alcohol content and soft tannins, making Garnacha-based wines both approachable in their youth and capable of aging gracefully.

Monastrell is a dark-skinned wine grape variety that plays a significant role in the country's viticultural landscape, particularly in the regions of Valencia, Jumilla, and Yecla. This grape is celebrated for producing deeply colored, rich, and full-bodied wines that exhibit flavors of blackberry, plum, black pepper, and game, often with a high tannin content and a notable ability to age gracefully. In Spain, Monastrell is frequently used as a single varietal wine, showcasing its intense fruit flavors and earthy undertones, but it can also be found as a vital component in blends, adding structure and complexity. The grape thrives in Spain's hot, dry climates, where the long growing season allows it to fully ripen and develop its characteristic bold flavors and aromas, making it a cornerstone of the region's red wine production.

The Palomino grape is most famously associated with the Jerez region, where it is the dominant grape used in the production of Sherry, a fortified wine celebrated globally. This grape thrives in the albariza soil of Jerez, lending itself well to the unique conditions required for Sherry production, including the development of flor, a layer of yeast that contributes significantly to the wine's flavor profile. Palomino grapes produce wines that are characteristically light and dry with a subtle nutty flavor when used in Sherry, though the grape can also produce still white wines that are crisp and refreshingly simple.

The Albariño grape is a white wine variety predominantly grown in the Rías Baixas DO (Denominación de Origen) region in Galicia, northwest Spain. Esteemed for its distinctive aromatic profile, Albariño wines are celebrated for their intense floral and fruity notes, including aromas of apricot, peach, and citrus, complemented by zesty acidity and a saline minerality that reflects the coastal terroir. These characteristics make Albariño wines exceptionally food-friendly, pairing wonderfully with seafood, tapas, and a variety of other dishes, and have contributed to the grape's growing popularity on the international wine scene.

The Viura grape, also known as Macabeo in other parts of Spain, is a white wine grape variety that is widely planted in the Rioja and Catalonia regions. It is known for producing wines that are fresh and aromatic, with a palate of green apple, citrus, and floral notes, often used in the production of both still white wines and as a key component in Cava, the Spanish sparkling wine.

The production of Cava, Spain's iconic sparkling wine, is rigorously regulated to ensure its quality and authenticity, governed by a specific set of laws under the Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) system. Cava must be produced using the traditional méthode champenoise, known in Spain as the "método tradicional," which involves secondary fermentation in the bottle to generate its characteristic bubbles. Looking for a deeper look into the world of Spanish Wine? Our course covers these topics in detail... sign up today!

Spain's wine laws are designed to ensure the quality and authenticity of its wines, governed by a system similar to the French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). At the top of the quality pyramid are the Denominaciones de Origen Protegidas (DOP), which include Denominaciones de Origen (DO) and the prestigious Denominaciones de Origen Calificadas (DOCa), such as Rioja and Priorat, reserved for regions with a proven track record of consistency and quality over time. These classifications dictate various aspects of viticulture and winemaking, including grape varieties, yields, and aging requirements. Below the DOP level, the Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VCIG) serves as a stepping stone for regions aspiring to DO status, encouraging them to elevate their quality. Additionally, Spain recognizes Vinos de la Tierra (VdlT), akin to the French Vin de Pays, indicating wines of good quality that reflect their specific region of origin but with less stringent regulations than DO wines. The broadest category, Vinos de Mesa (table wines), encompasses wines that do not meet the criteria of the higher designations or choose not to apply for them, allowing for innovation and experimentation outside traditional rules.