Spanish wine production has a long and rich history that dates back to ancient times. The Roman occupation of Spain in the 3rd century led to the development of grape cultivation and wine production in the country. In the Middle Ages, wine production was further developed by monks and monasteries in Spain, and today, Spanish wine is known worldwide. This long history has resulted in a wealth of local grape varieties in Spain, which are deeply tied to their respective regions and have become synonymous with them.

Climate, geography, and grape varieties

One of the key factors that make wine from Spain unique is the country's geography and climate. With its warm, sunny, and dry climate, Spain is particularly well suited for grape cultivation. The country has a varied topography with mountains, plains, and coastal areas, creating different microclimates that are ideal for growing a wide variety of grapes.

Another factor that makes Spanish wine special is the use of local grape varieties. Spain has more than 400 different grape varieties, many of which are unique to the country. These grape varieties are often adapted to the local climatic and soil conditions, giving them the distinctive flavors and aromas they are known for.

Grape varieties and flavor profiles

Some of the most popular Spanish grape varieties include Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Bobal, and Albariño. These grape varieties produce wines ranging from fresh and fruity white wines to robust and complex red wine from Spain.

Red wine from Spain

Red wine from Spain is renowned for its intensity and full bodied nature, with notes of berries and spices. Some of the most popular red wines from Spain come from the regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. Red Rioja wines are known for their complex flavors of dark berry fruit and toasted notes from extended barrel aging. Red wines from Priorat are known for their powerful taste and long aging potential. The red wines from Ribera del Duero contribute significantly to the fame of Spanish wines, with producers like Vega Sicilia and Peter Sisseck creating Spanish masterpieces each year. The wines from Ribera del Duero are also known for their ability to age over time, as well as their powerful flavors of dark berries and spices.

Danish influence on Spanish wine

Believe it or not, but one Dane has had a significant impact on the Spanish wine industry. We are of course referring to Peter Sisseck.

In 1995, Peter Sisseck purchased a small winery in Ribera del Duero, where he began producing the wine Pingus, which later became his signature wine and a favorite among wine connoisseurs worldwide. Pingus is a red wine made from 100% Tempranillo and has a distinctive flavor of dark berries, spices, and licorice root. Pingus quickly became a sensation in the wine world, achieving the magical 100 point rating from the renowned wine critic Robert Parker in his wine publication, Wine Advocate. Yet today, Pingus is still regarded as one of the best wines in the world.

Today, Peter Sisseck is one of the most recognized producers of Spanish wine and has played a significant role in putting Ribera del Duero on the map and elevating the Spanish wine industry. He has revolutionized wine production in Spain with his innovative approach and unwavering focus on quality over quantity. Peter Sisseck has also helped establish the Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP), a protected designation of origin that ensures the quality of Spanish wine, and has introduced new methods in the cellar. Notably, he is known for minimal intervention in his winemaking process and the use of French oak barrels instead of the more commonly used American and Slovenian oak barrels in Ribera del Duero.

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Sell your Spanish wine

If you have quality bottles of Spanish wine in your cellar and you're considering selling, you can easily list your Spanish wine for sale on the marketplace, either through a wine auction or as a fixed price listing, making it available to buyers from all over Europe.

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Frequently asked questions about Spanish wine

Why is Spanish wine so popular?

Spain has a long history of wine production and has developed expertise in cultivating and producing some of the world's best quality wines. The country's diverse geography and use of local grape varieties give Spanish wines a unique DNA with distinctive aromas that set them apart from wines made from the same or similar grapes in other parts of the world. The great Spanish wines often exhibit good acidity, tannic structure, and higher alcohol levels, all contributing to their aging potential. In other words, many Spanish red wines are excellent cellar wines that only get better with age. Spain is also famous for producing the sparkling wine "Cava," which can be considered Spain's version of Champagne. However, the overall quality of Cava cannot match that of Champagne. Nevertheless, there are several affordable alternatives and an increasing number of quality conscious producers.

Which grape varieties are used in Spanish wine?

Spain is home to a wide range of grape varieties, including Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Bobal, and Albariño. Tempranillo is the most popular grape variety in Spain and is used to produce many of the best red wines from Spain. The grape is a key player in wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The country is also renowned for its production of Cava, where the grape trio of Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarel-Lo is most commonly used.

Which regions produce the best wine in Spain?

Spain has many wine producing regions, but some of the most well known and highly regarded regions include Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Penedes, and Rias Baixas.

Which food pairs best with Spanish wine?

Spanish wine pairs well with many different types of food, but why not go for classic combinations with fantastic traditional Spanish dishes and ingredients such as paella, chorizo, and manchego cheese? Spanish red wine goes well with meat dishes like beef and lamb, and all dishes with bold flavors. Ribera del Duero wines are particularly well suited for grilled lamb and roasted suckling lamb is actually a traditional and popular dish in the region. It's a taste experience you shouldn't miss if you're ever in the area.

The most popular Spanish white wines are made from the Albariño grape, which originates from the cooler, northwestern wine region of Rias Baixas. These wines are characterized by high acidity, citrus aromas, and a pronounced salty mineral character, making them an excellent match for oysters, fish, and seafood, which the people in this coastal region take full advantage of. See what Spanish wine is currently on auction and find the perfect companion for your next meal.

How long can Spanish wine be stored?

Under proper conditions, high quality Spanish wine can be stored for one to several decades and is known to become rounder and often more elegant with time as the robust tannins integrate into the wine, which is said to shed its puppy fat. Long term wine storage, however, always depends on the correct storage conditions and should also consider personal taste since not everyone appreciates the mature, developed berry notes and liqueur like style over the fresher berry notes and crisp acidity.

What are the advantages of buying Spanish wine on auction?

The advantage of buying Spanish wine on a ShareWine auction is that you gain access to the private collections of other wine enthusiasts. Here, you will always find an auction featuring quality wines from producers and vintages that can be challenging to find in stores, and most importantly, at prices lower than those in stores. Here it is possible to make good deals and, at the same time, acquire bottles that have reached the level of maturity you prefer.