Stage 3
Wines by Region
Spain
It is traditional for Spanish wines to undertake aging in barrel and bottle and for this reason Spanish wine law sets minimum aging periods for each age of wine. The bottle carries a seal issued by the local Consejo Regulador who administer the wine laws, guaranteeing the classifications, which are:
Joven is a young wine that has probably not been aged in oak.
Crianza if a red wine it must be at least 2 years old and aged in cask for a minimum of 6 months. White and Rosé wines must be one year old.
Reserva is produced in better years only. The reds are aged for 3 years in cask and bottle and the white and rosé wines for 2 years.
Gran Reserva – is produced in exceptional years only. The reds are aged at least 2 years in cask and 3 years in bottle or vice versa. The whites and rosé wines are aged for four years of which 6 months must be in oak.
Rioja DOCa is a blend of grapes and for red Rioja wines the Tempranillo grape will dominate the blend. It is full to medium bodied with medium acidity and tannin with red fruit flavours such as Strawberry. It is often blended with Garnacha (Grenache) and this grape is dominant in lower priced wines. The traditional-style always includes oak, which softens the tannins and adds flavours of sweet coconut and vanilla. With age the wine will develop savoury animal and vegetal flavours such as meat, leather and mushroom.
Ribera del Duero DO is a region that produces premium quality wines from the Tempranillo grape.
Navarra DO is in northeast Spain and close to Rioja. The Tempranillo grape is often blended with international grape such as Merlot and Cab Sauvignon to produce a range of styles. Rosé wine is very popular here.
Catalunya is on the Mediterranean coast near to France. It produces wines from Tempranillo, Garnacha and international grape varieties.
La Mancha is in central Spain where it is extremely hot and arid. Almost half of the total wine production comes from this area however much of this is wine is distilled to make Spanish brandy.
Valdepenas is a small hilly enclave in the south of the La Mancha region and produces some excellent wines. Tempranillo is used to produce fruity or oaked wines.
White Wines. In the past Spain produced poor whites wines, which were stale and oxidised due to the heat. In recent years some Interesting white wines have been produced using modern technology. The regions of Rias Baixas and Rueda are producing some modern style wines, which are fruity with good levels of acidity that had been lacking in the past. Catalunya are producing wines using local as well as international varieties such as Chardonnay.
Key Regional Grape Varieties
- Garnacha (Grenache)
- Tempranillo