Spanish Wine

Spain is one of Europe's 3 big wine producing nations (along with Italy and France). It has an ancient history of winemaking with diverse and rich wine regions, each with its own unique characteristics and grape varieties.

Regions

Subregions

Spanish DO System

Vinos de Pago (VP):
DOC Wines from individual vineyards or wine estates.

Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOC):
The highest-quality in Spain. For regions with above-average quality and quality control.
Used only by Rioja and Priorat: Rioja DOCa (1991) and Priorat DOCQ (2003).

Denominación de Origen (DO):
Wine produced in a geographcal area with designated grapes, maximum yields, limits of alcoholic strength and other quality standards or limitations. Traditional and widely used in Spain.

DOP (Denominación de Origen Protegida)
The EU-recognized term for wines that come from a specific region with distinctive quality and characteristics.

Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica (VC):
Wines and grapes from a specific region.

Vinos de la Tierra (Land Wine):
Wines from a broader geographical area with some reputation or quality linked to that area.

IGP (Indicación Geográfica Protegida).
Same as Vinos de la Tierra.

Vinos de Mesa (Table Wine):
Wines with no geographic indication. The most basic wine level.

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DOP (Denominación de Origen Protegida)

Spanish wine also uses DOP markings, which are part of the European Union’s quality classification system.

Prior to the EU standard, Spain used DO (Denominación de Origen), and the DO term is still commonly used and recognized by consumers.

Spanish wine bottles may display DOP, DO, or DOCa, depending on the producer’s preference and export market.

For EU compliance and exports, DOP is increasingly used, but DO still holds strong cultural recognition.

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Spanish DO Regions

Galicia: Rias Baxias DO (1), Ribeiro DO (2), Ribeira Sacra DO (3).

Castilla y Leon: Monterrei DO (4), Valdeorras DO (5), Bierzo DO (6), Tierra de León DO (7), Cigales DO (8), Arribes DO (9), Toro DO (10), Tierra del Vino de Zamora DO (11), Rueda DO (12), Ribera del Duero DO (13), Arlanza DO (14).

La Rioja: Rioja DOCa (15).

Euskadi (Basque): Txacoli de Álava DO (16), Txakoli de Bizkaia DO (17), Txakoli de Getaria (18).

Navarra: Navarra DO (19).

Aragon: Campo de Borja DO (20), Cariñena DO (21), Calatayud DO (22), Somontano DO (23).

Catalunya: Costers del Segre DO (24), Terra Alta DO (25), Tarragona DO (26), Montsant DO (27), Priorat DOCa (28), Conca de Barberà DO (29), Penedès DO (30), Pla de Bages DO (31), Alella DO (32), Empordà DO (33).

Mallorca: Binissalem DO (34), Pla i Llevant DO (35).

Valencia: Valencia DO (36), Utiel-Requena DO (37), Alicante DO (38), Yecla DO (39).

Murcia: Bullas DO (40), Jumilla DO (41).

Castilla La Mancha: Almansa DO (42), Manchuela DO (43), Ribera del Júcar DO (44), Uclés DO (45), Mondéjar DO (46), La Mancha DO (47), Valdepeñas DO (48), Méntrida DO (49), Vinos de Madrid DO (50).

Extremadura: Ribera del Guadiana DO (51).

Andalucia: Condado de Huelva DO (52), Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO (53), Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO (54), Manzanilla DO (54), Málaga DO (55), Sierras de Málaga DO (55), Montilla-Moriles DO (56).

Canarias: La Palma DO (58), El Hierro DO (59), La Gomera DO (60), Abona DO (61), Tacoronte-Acentejo DO (62), Valle de Güímar DO (63), Ycoden-Daute-Isora DO (64), Valle de La Orotava DO (65), Gran Canaria DO (66), Lanzarote DO (67).

Cava DO (Multiple regions)

Catalunya DO (the Catalunya region)

Spanish Grape Plantings

Because of a large bulk production, Airén is the most planted Spanish grape.

The most famous white wine grapes are Verdejo and Albariño.

The most famous red wine grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha.

Airén Tempranillo Garnacha Bobal Macabeo (Viura) Monastrell (Mourvèdre) Alicante Bouschet Pardina Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah

Source: OIV Note de conjoncture mondiale 2017