Spain

The history of wine in Spain is so old that no one really knows who first brought vines to the area. Rich in culture and terrior, Spain has more acreage under grape cultivation than any other country in the world. Wine grapes are grown throughout every region of the country with Castilla-La Mancha having nearly half of the planted acreage, followed by Extremadura, Valencia, Castilla-Leon, Catalonia, Murcia and Rioja. About two thirds of all wines produced in Spain are table wines with about one-third comprising high-quality wines that follow the European production model.

• Rioja is made primarily from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes.
• Penedes is known for sparkling Cava and still wines from French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
• Ribera del Duero is best known for Tempranillo and blends of Tempranillo that tend to be dark, complex and age able.
• Rueda is Spain’s most well known growing region for whites, most notably the Verdejo grapes.
• Rias Baixas is another major growing region for a white grape known as Albarino.