Spanish Red Wines

Spanish Red Wine

Spain has been a source of superb red wine since the 19th century. Like France, Spanish wine laws control which red wine and white wine varieties may be grown in D.O. (Denominaciòn de Origen) regions. International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, etc. have been disallowed but plantings pre-dating the D.O. laws are allowed to remain but not expand. That ruling saved Spain’s two great Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, Vega Sicilia in Ribero del Duero and Mas La Plana in Penedes. These restrictions have been relaxed in the newer D.O. regions.

Red wine from Rioja

Spain’s traditional great red wine is from Rioja, a district on the Ebro River northwest of Barcelona. There is some evidence of winemaking in the Rioja region in Roman times but the modern wine industry in this region traces its roots back to the 15th century.

The principal red wine grape of Rioja is Tempranillo.  Three other red wine varieties are allowed for blending purposes: Graciano, Garnacha, and Mazuelo (Carignan). Rioja red wines are medium-bodied, dry and very food-friendly. They resemble the Chianti red wine of Italy in weight and style. Some wine writers have singled out Rioja as the best all-around red wine to pair with the widest spectrum of foods. There are many fine red wine producers in La Rioja, the most notable of which is Artadi.

Latest Trends in Spanish Red Wine

In 2003 Priorat, a small region about 15 miles west of Tarragona was granted DOCa status, the 2nd in the country (after Rioja). Two of Spain’s nine outstanding Denominaciòn de Pago vineyards are located here. Priorat red wine is usually made from Garnacha blends and can reach high alcohol levels. Great producers are Clos Erasmus, Costers de Siurana, Melis and Alvaro Palacios.  Priorat red wines are very rich and full-bodied.

Campo de Borja in north-central Spain is rising region to watch. Export wines, like those of Priorat, are usually Garnacha blends and often resemble Priorat in style: rich, massive, fruity, and very high in alcohol.

Some red wine recommendations

Artadi Rioja Viñas de Gain; 14.2% alc., $24

Melis Priorat; 15.5% alc., $50

Alto Moncayo Campo de Borja; 16% alc., $45

Rioja red wine

Priorat red wine

Campo de Borja red wine