Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world, the largest being France and the second Italy. Historically, Spain has been known from the production of fortified wines and the best known Spanish wine is considered by some to be the fortified wine Sherry, which is produced in the region surrounding Jerez de la Frontera. Other wine regions well known outside of Spain include: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorato, Cava and Penedès.
In Rioja, the law permits the use of four red grape varieties. Tempranillo is the primary grape used, followed by Garnacha (also known as Grenache), Graciano and Mazuelo. The latter two are excellent but difficult to grow varieties. Crianza wines are those that have been aged for two years, Reservas are aged three years, and Gran Reservas (also known as Reserva Especial) are aged at least five years.
Ribera del Duero lacks the long history of Rioja and was recognized as an official wine region in 1982. Priorato is a region with low yields and produces wines of rich intensity. Notable pioneer Rene Barbier is credited by some with bringing fame to this region. Penedes produces both red and white wines, but is mainly known for being the region that Cava (a sparkling wine) was first made.
Classification
Denominación de Origen is an appellation primarily used for Spanish wines, but also other foodstuffs. It is parallel with the hierarchical AOC system of France and Italy although Rioja and Sherry preceded the full system. As of 2006, 72 wine regions have EU QWPSR (Quality Wine Produced in Specific Regions) status:
- Denominación de Pago (DO de Pago): Individual single-estates with an international reputation. There are 3 wine regions with this status.
- Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa/DOQ): Regions with (allegedly) a track record of consistent quality. There are 2 wine regions with this status.
- Denominación de Origen (DO): mainstream quality-wine regions. There are 62 wine regions with this status.
- Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD): a "starter home" for wine regions climbing the quality ladder. There are 5 wine regions with this status.
There are also some 55 country wine areas, Vinos de la Tierra (VdlT), which do not have EU QWPSR status but which may use a regional name.
The simplest wine is classified as Vino de Mesa. This wine has no vintage or area designation on the label (apart from 'Produce of Spain') is falling in quantity of production every year.
The 72 recognized wine producing regions in Spain grow a wide diversity of grapes, mostly of native origin. The great variety of wines with unfamiliar names causes confusion among many consumers.
Rioja wines are labeled according to the amount of aging the wine has received. These are the national minimum, but many producers far exceed them:
- Cosecha wines (meaning "vintage") are young and are not usually aged in wood. Alternatively, these may be the new-wave 'High Expression' wines which don't use the traditional epithets as they are considered to be old-fashioned: the price should be a guide as to which is which.
- Crianza wines are aged for two years with at least one year in a cask.
- Reserva wines are aged for at least one year in an oak cask and at least one year in oak, with a further year in either.
- Gran Reserva wines are aged for at least 18 months in oak, and at least three years in the bottle and a minimum of five years total at the winery.