Popularity of Spanish Wines
What is it about Spain that makes it such a producer of popular wines?
Europe is generally famous for having cool seasons with extreme cold conditions some times in the year. Naturally, considering the healthy aspect of the cold conditions, consumption of wine across most European nations is common. This is particularly true in Spain, which is said to have the largest wine-growing area in the world, covers a surface area in excess of 1,200,000 hectares (compared to 900,000 ha for France). A surprising fact is that even after having such a enormous area under wine growing Spain is placed third after Italy & France since the per hectare area is lower than these two European countries.
The country is in the top ten of wine consumption. Around ten gallons (over 40 litres) are drunk, on average, a year by Spaniards. Grape varieties abound, therefore in Spain there is great choice for wine producers. In fact there are over 600 varieties of grape, though apparently most of their wine production comes from just 20 or so grapes. The country has an abundance of native grape varieties, with over 600 varieties planted throughout Spain, though 80 percent of the country's wine production is from only 20 grapes - Tempranillo, Albariño, Palomino, Macabeo, Parellada, and Monastrell among them.
Within Spain there are a quite a lot of wine-producing regions. Over half have the classification Denominación de Origen (DO). Most of the other wine-producing regions are classified as Vinos de la Tierra (VdlT). There are a couple of wine regions classified as Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa). One of those, Rioja, is very well known to most wine drinkers outside of Spain. The other is Priorato. Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja are the three regions within Rioja which produce wines. White wines from Rioja are usually best avoided, their quality is not at all good. Red of course is at the other end of the scale, and can be some of the best wines you will taste. Although the majority of regions produce both red and white wine, some wine regions have a greater influence on one than the other.
There are many different wine regions located throughout Spain and the wine varieties which come from such regions are diverse and unique. Spanish red wines are quite popular within the country and outside as well. All one has to do is look at the local wine shop and see that the Spanish wine selection grows on a monthly basis to make room for the often value for money wines of Spain. There are a good variety of Spanish red wines which one can purchase and some of these types will be listed below.
Tempranillo: One of the more popular red wines of Spain is Tempranillo. Tempranillo has similarities with the French wine, Cabernet Sauvignon. It is robust in flavour and has deep red overtones to it. Frequently these types of wine are dry in consistency and have a wonderful aroma.
Garnacha: Another popular red wine which is produced in various wine regions of Spain is Garnacha. If you enjoy a very drinkable fruity, sweeter red, this might be one for you to try.
Malaga: It is another type of Spanish red wine that is often produced and consumed in the area. Similar in nature to Garnacha, Malaga is a sweet and smooth wine as well. The main grapes used to produce Malaga are pedro ximinez and moscatel grapes. If one is looking for the perfect dessert wine, Malaga is the Spanish wine to choose.
The Spanish wine growing regions have always occupied a special niche inside the wine world but the types of wines Spain created had a limited appeal to dessert or specialty drinkers. But as the palates of millions of consumers around the globe expand, curiosity about Spanish wines continues to evolve.
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