Spanish red wines are hugely popular, and most consumers love this country because of its great diversity of wines that deliver fantastic value for money. Explore our great range of red Spanish wine featuring a diverse range of styles and prices, from lovely young Garnachas to some of the most outstanding Riojas.
The Spanish wine industry has a vast and long story of traditional winemaking. Still, the actual scene is going through fascinating times as winemakers are pushing the boundaries to produce a broad range of styles. Such a diverse country with over 70 regions is not easily summed up, but at Empire Wines, we’ve laid down some pointers about the principal areas and styles.
More info and FAQ below
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Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish Red
What are Spain's red varieties?
Tempranillo is the most famous Spanish red grape variety. "Temprano" translates into early, referring to the grape’s tendency to ripen early in the season. It produces a wide range of wine styles, from fresh and fruity when young to bold and complex when oak-aged. Garnacha can also be found as a single varietal or blended with Tempranillo. Some other famous red Spanish grape varieties are the indigenous Monastrell and Bobal, but international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Malbec are also used for blendings.
What's the best Spanish red wine?
Spain's DO system (Denominación de Origen) defines a wine quality control system that helps consumers identify the wines quickly. In ascending order of quality, these are: Vino de Mesa (table wine), Vino de la Tierra (the equivalent of the French Vin de pays), and DO (the equivalent of the French VDQS or AC and Italian DOC).
Information About Spanish Red
Spain is a very large country with a great diversity of climates and soils, and therefore, of wine styles. The dramatic mountain chains and the ocean proximity of some regions serve to explain these significant regional differences.
In Spain, as much as other Old World Countries like France or Italy do, wines are divided into different wine regions, each with their own wine laws and quality standards. Nowadays, there are more than 70 DOs ("Designation of Origin"), and when it comes to labels, regional names such as Rioja or Ribera del Duero are used over grape varietals. Not long ago, it was rather unusual to find grape names on Spanish labels, but modern winemakers are now considering the consumer, clearly stating the grape variety like Garnacha or Albariño (which is, in fact, a white grape – you can click here to learn more about Spanish white wines).
Spanish Reds
Red wine is produced throughout the whole country, from indigenous local varieties to the long-known international grape varieties. The most important Spanish regions for red wine production are Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, and Toro.
Rioja
Rioja is most likely the more famous region for quality Spanish red wine. It is located in the Northern corner of Spain and is formed of three zones: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Even though both white and rosé wine are produced in Rioja, it is best known for its worldwide famous red wines. Red Rioja wines are usually Tempranillo-based blends, with variable portions of Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano.
The factor that makes Rioja style so unique is the developed art of various oak uses. The time spent in oak has a direct impact on each Rioja style and legal classification. Young wines with very little or no aging will be labeled "Rioja" or "Joven." The following levels are Rioja Crianza (12 months in oak), Rioja Reserva (minimum 24 months), and Rioja Gran Reserva (minimum 36 months).
Typically, the younger and less oaked the wine is, the more primary fruit characteristics it exhibits, such as cherry, sun-dried tomato, or dill. Reserva wines, for instance, are more complex, developing multilayered primary and secondary flavors of fruit, spices, cigar box, and vanilla. Gran Reserva still has some primary and secondary aromas, but develops complex and evolved tertiary notes of strawberry and blackberry, cocoa and black licorice, cedar, and menthol.
Ribera del Duero
Located in central-north Spain, Ribera del Duero is home to some of the country's finest red wines, recognized worldwide along with its counterparts from Bordeaux, Tuscany, and California. Ribera del Duero reds are produced mainly with Tinto Fino (aka Tempranillo), but other international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec are also used. Ribera del Duero wines have a distinctive bolder, black fruit-driven character that is often described as deep and firm.
Priorat
Priorat is a wine region in the Tarragona province of Catalunya. It is defined by its steep hillside vineyards with stony soils, where old vines typically produce concentrated and intense wines due to its low yielding. In this area, up to ten different varieties are allowed, although most wines focus on Garnacha and Mazuelo over Syrah Merlot, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Top-end Garnachas tend to be bold and sophisticated, with plenty of tannins and notes of dark raspberry flavors, blackberry, and licorice, as wines are aged for a longer time and typically come from old vines.
Did you know? Garnacha is the Spanish name for the same variety known as Grenache in France. In Sardegna in Italy, it is known as Cannonau.
Toro
Toro is located in the Castilla y Léon region, more specifically in the Zamora Comune. The most important grape here is Tinta de Toro, the Tempranillo grape's local name, but Garnacha is also allowed in the region. The continental climate, which offers dry, hot summers followed by cold, harsh winters, along with the region's chalky soil, results in a unique richness compared to other Tempranillos. Most certainly, Toro produces the most full-bodied, powerful, and robust wines of Spain, with medium-plus tannins, moderate acidity, and relatively medium alcohol content.
Bierzo is a wine region in the northwest of Castilla y Leon. Two subregions shape its viticultural area: Bierzo Alto (high Bierzo), a mineral-rich location surrounded by mountains and terraced vineyards producing the finest wines, and Bierzo Bajo (low Bierzo), a vast and verdant plain. Making up the core of the region is the Mencía grape, which can deliver wines with incredible fruit purity, superb structure, wonderful food versatility, and unbeatable value for money. The combination of these few elements has positioned Bierzo as being the heart of many sommeliers and wine enthusiasts around the world.
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