Spain grows a large variety of grapes. Many Spanish wines label their wines using the region name and will not show the grape varietal. So we will give some of the prominent growing areas the following grapes are grown, in order for you learn what grapes could be in a bottle from that region. The following are some of the more prominent regional grapes found in Spanish wine.
White: (also called blanca)
Airén – This is Spain’s most widely planted grape variety. It produces wines with a characteristic bouquet and alcohol content between 12% and 14% alcohol by volume(abv). It is the main variety in Vinos de Madrid DO. Found in the regions of Ciudad Real, Toledo, Cuenca, Albacete, Murcia and Madrid.
Albariño – This grape is rapidly gaining in popularity among Spanish white wines. The grape is native to Galicia, with small, very sweet, glyceric berries which produce high quality wines. It is the basic grape in the Region of Rías Baixas.
Garnacha Blanca – Produces full-bodied wines with a high alcohol content. Very abundant throughout Spain, especially in Tarragona, Zaragoza and Teruel. It is classified as a main variety in Alella, Costers del Segre, Tarragona and Terra Alta DOs.
Macabeo – Also called Viura. This is the basic Cava (sparkling wine) variety. Mainly found in Badajoz, La Rioja, Tarragona and Zaragoza, this is considered a main variety in Calatayed, Concade Barberá, Costers del Segre, Navarra, Penedés, Rioja, Somontano, and Terra Alta.
Palomino – A basic grape in Jerez wines. Its high yields led to extensive planting in many Spanish regions, especially Galicia. The varietal flourishes in Cádiz, Orense, Valladolid, Zamora and Huelva. The primary grape in the production of Spanish Sherry.
Pardillo – Known in some areas as Pardina. The grape is plentiful in Badajoz, especially in the Guadiana area of Ribera Alta, Albacete, and Cuenca.
Pedro Ximénez –(sometimes labeled PX)-- This white grape has a high sugar content. Found almost everywhere in Spain. It is widespread in the areas of Córdoba, Badojox, Málaga and Valencia and is considered the main variety in the following DOs: Jerez, Málaga, Montilla-Moriles, and Valencia. It is used as a sweetening agent in some of Spain’s sweeter style Sherries.
Verdejo – Very high quality grape and one of the best white varieties in Spain. It makes very aromatic, glyceric, soft wines with body. It is plentiful in Valladolid, Sefovia and Ávila. It is considered the main variety in the wines of Rueda DO.
Red (also called Tinta)
Bobal – a grape used for adding color to wines and for making Rosé wines. Found mainly in Valencia, Cuenca and Albacete.
Cariñina – Produces robust and balanced wines. Sometimes blended with Garnacha. It is widely planted in catalonia and LaRioja, where it is known as “Mazuela”. It is considered a main variety in wines from Calatayud, Costers del Segre, Penedés, tarragona and Terra Alta DOs.
Garnacha tinta – The most widely planted red grape in Spain. It is considered a main grape variety in the following DOs: Ampurdán-Costa Brava, Calatayud, Campode Borja, Cariñena, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Méntrida, Penedés, Priorato, Somontano, Tarragona, Terra Alta, Utiel-Requena, Valdeorras and Vinos de Madrid.
Aliconte (also called Garnacha Tintorera) – It is the only variety which which produces colored juice. When any other red grape is pressed the juice is clear, the skins provide the coloring (tintorera comes from the verb teñir = to dye). It is considered a main variety in Almansa DO.
Mencía – Thought to be very similar to Cabernet Franc. It produces high quality wines. It is widely planted in León, Zamora, Lugo and Orense provinces. It is considered the main variety in Valdeorras and Bierzo DOs.
Monastrell – Known in France as Mourvédre. A very sweet and productive grape that produces wines with deep color and higher alcohol content. It is considered a main variety in Alicante, Almansa, Costers del Segre, Jumilla, Penedés, Valencia and Yecla.
Tempranillo – The star of Spanish grapes. It is called by various names in some areas of Spain. It is called Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, Cenciblel in Castile-La Mancha and Madrid, and Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais in Castile and Leon. It is considered a main variety in the following DOs: Calatayud, Cigales, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Penedes, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Valdepenas, and Vinos de Madrid.
The source of this material came from Winesfromspain.com. A great resource for all information on the Spanish wine industry. http://www.winesfromspain.com