13 Jan Spanish Wine
Want to know more about Spanish wine?
Here’s a little beginner’s guide to some terms to get you started!
Basic Terms:
Tinto – In Spain, a red wine is called “tinto”
Blanco – In Spain, a white wine is called “blanco”
Cava – A sparkling white wine, made in the same style as France’s Champagne
Terms for Wine age:
Joven – a wine that has seen no barrel aging and is meant to be drunk young (literally translated – joven)
Crianza – a wine that has been aged at least 24 months in oak or bottle, with generally 6-12 months in oak
Reserva – a wine comes from the highest quality grapes a winemaker has, and is generally aged 12-24 months in barrel, and a total of 36 months before release
Gran Reserva – small quantity production, only made in years when grapes are exceptional. Aged at least 24 months in oak, often even longer, and must be aged for a total of 60 months before release. These wines can last for decades!
A few popular regions for Spanish red wines:
Rioja – a great blend of ripe fruit and earthy flavors, often featuring Tempranillo blended with Mazuelo, Graciano, Garnacha, and even non-traditional grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon
Ribera del Duero – lush, polished wines come from Ribera del Duero, the other Spanish wine region known for Tempranillo, though usually entirely Tempranillo, rather than a blend
Priorat – intense, muscular, earth-driven wines are found in the Priorat, where Garnacha and Cariñena grapes are blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and others.