Europe
Spain
The largest vineyard area in the world and a rising star - Tempranillo, Garnacha and barely-believable-value Godello and Albariño.
Spain has more land under vine than any country on earth, yet it was long overlooked by wine lovers, who knew only Rioja and simple sangria. That has changed dramatically: modern Spanish wineries are now among the most exciting in the world.
The classic star is Tempranillo, the backbone of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, famous for elegant oak-aged reds. Garnacha (Grenache) leads the great value region of Priorat and the immense production of Aragón, while the cool Atlantic northwest is home to bright, salty Albariño and mineral Godello.
Spain is also the world's largest producer of sparkling wine by volume - Cava - and one of the last great sources of bargain-priced, characterful red wine. Its traditional ageing categories (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) give buyers a clear quality road-map.
Wine Regions
All regions →Rioja
Northern Spain, along the Ebro river, split between the regions of La Rioja, Álava and Navarra.
Ribera del Duero
North-central Spain, along the Duero river in the province of Burgundy, over 800m above sea level.
Priorat
Northeast Spain, inland from Tarragona in Catalonia, a rugged amphitheatre of black slate hills.
Galicia (Rías Baixas)
Northwest Spain's Atlantic coast, in the region of Galicia; Rías Baixas means 'lower estuaries'.
Jerez / Sherry
Southwestern Spain, around the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, near the Atlantic.
Notable Wines
All wines →Vega Sicilia Único
Ribera del Duero · 2024 (representative vintage)
Vega Sicilia Único is an red wine from Spain, in the Ribera del Duero region (North-central Spain, along the Duero river in the province of Burgundy, over 800m above sea level.), made principally from Tempranillo. Spain's most legendary wine, aged for years before release.
$400–$700 est. retail
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva
Rioja · 2024 (representative vintage)
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva is an red wine from Spain, in the Rioja region (Northern Spain, along the Ebro river, split between the regions of La Rioja, Álava and Navarra.), made principally from Tempranillo. The great traditionalist Rioja, aged for a decade in oak before release — history in a bottle.
$60–$110 est. retail
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904
Rioja · 2024 (representative vintage)
La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is an red wine from Spain, in the Rioja region (Northern Spain, along the Ebro river, split between the regions of La Rioja, Álava and Navarra.), made principally from Tempranillo. The benchmark semi-traditional Rioja — long-aged Tempranillo that drinks beautifully on release.
$50–$90 est. retail
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º
Ribera del Duero · 2024 (representative vintage)
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º is an red wine from Spain, in the Ribera del Duero region (North-central Spain, along the Duero river in the province of Burgundy, over 800m above sea level.), made principally from Tempranillo. The younger sibling of Único — five-year-aged Tempranillo from Spain's proudest estate.
$120–$200 est. retail
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus
Priorat · 2024 (representative vintage)
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus is an red wine from Spain, in the Priorat region (Northeast Spain, inland from Tarragona in Catalonia, a rugged amphitheatre of black slate hills.), made principally from Grenache. The scandal-critical Priorat icon that helped launch the region's modern renaissance at the turn of the century.
$200–$350 est. retail
Tío Pepe Fino Sherry
Jerez / Sherry · 2024 (representative vintage)
Tío Pepe Fino Sherry is an fortified wine from Spain, in the Jerez / Sherry region (Southwestern Spain, around the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, near the Atlantic.), made principally from Palomino Fino. The most famous fino in the world — pale, briny and unfortified-flavoured under its flor veil.
$12–$20 est. retail
Buying Spain Wine
- › Spanish ageing terms are your friend: Crianza (2-3 years), Reserva (3+ years) and Gran Reserva (5+ years) guarantee barrel and bottle age, so you can shop by style easily.
- › Ribera del Duero and Priorat offer weight and concentration; Rioja Alta and Alavesa offer finesse; Godello and Albariño deliver the best-value seafood whites anywhere.
- › For sherry, start with Fino and Manzanilla served very cold with food - they are a revelation compared to the sweet style many people think sherry is.