spain

A wine giant in the waking. Long known as a bulk wine producing country, Spain is emerging as one of the best wine producing countries in the world. From the crisp whites of Rias Baixas to the lush and deep reds of Priorat, Spain has a wine for every taste.

Navarra
From high, 600-metre vineyards of Valdizarbe to the lower altitude vineyards of Ribera Baja, there is a huge stylistic variance in red wines due to diversity of climates, soils and grape varieties. Traditionally-shaped wines alongside modern, almost futuristic ones, and ongoing experimentation with the traditional grape, garnacha, as well as tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.
Winemakers:
Iturbide

Rioja
Rioja, probably Spain's most famous wine region, with a history that stretches back well over 400 years. Situated between 2 mountain ranges with the Sierra Nevadas to the south, Rioja enjoys the rain shadow effect. Rioja most famous grapes are tempranillo and garnacha, but small amounts of Mazuelo (Carignan noir) and Graciano are also found. White grape varieties are Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca. With its long history of winemaking, Rioja has strict appellation standards governing labeling and minimum age:

• Guarantee of Origin:   Wines which have not undergone the "crianza" process.
• Crianza:   Wine in its third year, matured for at least one year in oak casks.
• Reserva:  Wine aged at least three years, of which at least one is in oak cask.
• Gran Reserva:   Vintage wines which have been aged at least two years in oak cask and three years in bottle.

Winemakers:
Heredad Ugarte

Calatayud
Spain's youngest D.O. Since 1998 Calatayud has proven why it deserves D.O. status producing some of Spain's best value wines. Generally speaking, Calatayud's young wines tend to a fresher, less alcoholic style than other  Aragon wines. Garnacha dominates production and is used in both red and white wines, sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. Whites are generally made from the indigenous grape Viura.
Some of the young wines may be classified as Calatayud Superior. These are made only from Garnacha grapes from vines no less than thirty years old, with yields of no more than 3,500 kg per hectare.
Winemakers:
Bodegas Langa