8 interesting facts about Spanish red wine that will help you choose the right one for you:
1. Native grape varieties: Spain is famous for its native red grape varieties, such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell and Mencia, which produce high-quality Spanish red wines.
2. Wine regions: Spain has numerous renowned wine regions. Among the most famous are Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Toro and Penedès, each with its own characteristic style of red wine. As in Italy, Spain also has a designation system aligned with the European one. The D.O., or Denominación de Origen, and the D.O.Ca., or Denominación de Origen Calificada, are equivalent to our DOC and DOCG, while vino de pago is roughly comparable to French grand cru.
3. Ageing: Many Spanish red wines have excellent ageing potential. Some of Spain's best fine red wines are left to mature in the bottle for a long time, developing a unique complexity and elegance. Depending on the ageing, we will therefore have a joven red wine, with less than one year of ageing, Crianza, with at least two years of ageing, Reserva and Gran Reserva, with three to five years of ageing.
5. Wines Rioja: The D.o.Ca (denominacion de origen calificada) Rioja is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Spanish red wine quality. The small autonomous community is located halfway between the Basque Country and Castile and is renowned throughout Spain for its red wines.
6. Food pairings: Spanish red wine pairs well with various Spanish dishes, such as tapas, jamón serrano, aged cheeses, grilled meats, paella and many other local specialities.
7. Affordable, high-quality wines: Spain offers a wide selection of red wines that represent excellent value for money. In our online wine shop, you can find excellent Spanish wines at affordable prices that will satisfy your taste and budget.
8. Organic production: In recent years, Spain has seen a significant increase in the production of organic red wine. Many wineries are increasingly committed to sustainable and organic production, contributing to the preservation of the environment.
