Guide to Spanish Wine

(Wine Types, Tasting Notes, Food Pairings)

March 2023 – The Spanish Radish Blog

Spanish wines are loved by wine enthusiasts all around the world, and it’s fair to say we have an ongoing love affair with them. Since there are so many different types and flavors, you’ll find more than one to pair with any cuisine or dish, making them super versatile. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular types of Spanish wines, their tasting notes, food they pair well with, and share a little history of each. Finally, we’ll leave you with four links to online stores where you can order delivery.

Table of contents:

• Spanish Wine facts
• Tempranillo Wine
• Garnacha Wine
• Monastrell Wine
• Albariño Wine
• Verdejo Wine
• Cava
• Sherry
• Where to buy Spanish Wines
• FAQs

Spanish Wine Facts

Spain is well known for its wine, cuisine, sunshine, and laidback vibe — but Spanish wines are a serious business. From Tempranillo to Cava, each has a fierce reputation to uphold and defend, which they do so with gusto. 

With a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years, today it’s one of the largest wine-producing countries in the world, with more than one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of vineyards. 

Its wine regions are known for their unique terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking techniques — although, today there is a mix of old and new bodegas (wineries). 

• Spain is the third largest wine producer in the world, after Italy and France.
• The wine industry is a major contributor to the Spanish economy, with around 4,300 wineries and over 400,000 people employed in the industry.
• The country has over 60 wine regions, each with its own unique terroir and grape varieties.

Tempranillo Wine

Tempranillo is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Spain, accounting for 25% of vineyards. It’s the main grape used in the production of Rioja wines — this is probably what you tried first. If you’re ever in Spain, and love wine, a trip to Rioja is a must. 

The countryside is stunning, and the region produces more than 250 million liters (66 million gallons) of wine each year. You can sample wines in bars and bodegas for next to nothing. Of course, there are also some very glitzy high-end bodegas there too, some requiring reservations and deeper pockets. 

Tempranillo wines are typically medium-bodied, with notes of red fruit, vanilla, leather, and tobacco. They pair well with stews, roasted meats, and hard cheeses (like Manchego).

Tempranillo wine food pairing suggestions: 

• Spanish chicken and rice (Arroz con pollo)
• Smoky butter bean stew 
• Try one of these types of Spanish cheese

The history of Tempranillo dates as far back as the Phoenician and Roman eras. During the Middle Ages, the grape was cultivated by the Monks and became the dominant grape variety in the La Rioja region. Its popularity is not likely to wane any time soon either. 

Want to discover more about the La Rioja region? Check out our La Rioja Foodie Guide!

Garnacha Wine

Garnacha, also known as Grenache, is another popular grape variety in Spain. It is widely grown in the Priorat and Montsant regions of Catalonia. Garnacha wines are typically full-bodied, with notes of dark fruit, spices, and herbs. They pair well with grilled meats, stews, and hearty dishes.

Garnacha wine food pairing suggestions: 

• Spanish oven-baked rice (Arroz al horno)
• Smoky sweet potato and chorizo
• Mediterranean lentil and spinach stew

The history of Garnacha can be traced back to the Aragon region in the 12th century. Today, it’s the second most widely planted grape variety in Spain, accounting for 20% of bodegas. The Priorat region produces some of the highest-quality Garnacha wines, and five million liters (1.3 million gallons) every year. 

Monastrell Wine

Monastrell, also known as Mourvèdre, is a grape variety that is grown in the Jumilla and Yecla regions of southeastern Spain. Monastrell wines are full-bodied, with notes of blackberries, spice, and leather. They pair well with grilled meats, stews, and bold-flavored dishes.

Monastrell wine food pairing suggestions: 

• Spanish meatballs (Albondigas)
• Spanish bean stew (Fabada Asturiana)
• Chicken and chorizo stew

The history of Monastrell dates back to the 5th century BC, when the Phoenicians introduced the grape to the region. The grape was later cultivated by the Moors during the Middle Ages. Today, Monastrell takes up around 75,000 hectares (185 acres) of bodegas in Spain, which produces around 103 million liters (27 million gallons) each year.

Albariño Wine

Albariño is a white grape variety that is grown in the Rías Baixas region of Galicia. Albariño wines are light-bodied, with notes of citrus, peach, and apricot. They pair well with seafood, grilled vegetables, and light salads.

Albariño wine food pairing suggestions: 

• Sizzling garlic shrimp (Gambas al ajillo)
• Mediterranean tomato salad
• Shrimp and mussels pasta

The history of Albariño can be traced back to the 12th century, when the grape was introduced to the region by Cistercian monks.

The grape was later cultivated by local farmers, who recognized its potential as a high-quality grape variety. Today, Albariño is grown on 5,500 hectares (13,590 acres) of bodegas in Spain, resulting in 63 million liters (16.5 million gallons) of Albariño wine.

Verdejo Wine

Verdejo is a white grape variety that is grown mostly in the Rueda region of Castilla y León. Verdejo wines are light-bodied, with notes of citrus, herbs, and floral aromas. They pair well with seafood, salads, and light tapas.

Verdejo wine food pairing suggestions: 

• 30-minute squid ink pasta 
• Shrimp and avocado salad
• Padron peppers

The history of Verdejo dates back to the 11th century, when the grape was introduced to the region by Mozarabic settlers. The grape was later cultivated by monks during the Middle Ages. Today, it’s grown on approximately 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) of bodegas, resulting in around 78 million liters (20.5 million gallons) of wine.

In addition to still wines, Spain is also known for producing high-quality sparkling wines and fortified wines. Two of the most famous are cava and sherry.