Spanish Wine

Spain is one of the foremost wine producing countries in Europe and historically Spanish explorers, missionaries and conquistadores have spread Spanish methods and the art of Spanish winemaking further afield than anyone else. Spain has its own appellation system, similar to France, to assure quality. Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) is the highest quality category for Spanish wine. Only the Rioja and the Priorat wine region received DOCa status. Denominación de Origen (DO) is similar to the French AOC, and covers the most well-known classical Spanish wines.

The best known Spanish wines include quality reds from the Rioja and Rivera del Duero, reds and whites from the Penedes, fine whites from Rueda, Sherry from Jerez, and Cava sparkling wine. There are 40 recognized wine regions in Spain, producing about 11 varieties of wine that range from generous dry wines to sparkling wines, rose and the valuable Gran Reservas. Spain is a world class producer of wines, both in quality and in quantity and there is a Spanish wine for every occasion and every type of meal.