<h2><strong>Rioja</h2></strong>

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Rioja, Basque Country, Navarra

Large area known for red and some whites

Three sub zones

Rioja Alta and Alavesa

Rioja Baja

Most densely planted area in Spain

Classic wine region that led the way

Brought French influence in 19th century

Most famous Spanish wine region internationally

DO created in 1925 (1st)

DOCa since 1991

65,000 hectares

More than 550 wineries

Main grape: Tempranillo

Also: Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano

Experimental grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Somewhat of an identity crisis

Modern vs traditional

Mild climatological conditions

Atlantic influence

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<h2><strong>Castilla Leon</h2></strong>

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Very important wine region with five important DOs

DO Ribera del Duero

DO Rueda

DO Toro

DO Bierzo

DO Cigales

Also very important production of Vino de la Tierra de Castilla Leon

DO Ribera del Duero

DO since 1982

Considered to produce some of the finest red wines in Spain

Trendy and fast-growing areas

Prices can be quite high

8,000 ha of vineyards and over 178 wineries.

Grape variety:  Tinto Fino, a variant of Tempranillo

Climate: Continental with some Med influences

DO Rueda

Small wine region (6000ha) with 36 wineries

White wines from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc

Created in 1980 for whites

Since 2001 open to reds

The wines are attractive modern, cold-fermented whites

The climate is wind-swept continental

DO Toro

Gained fame over last ten years

Powerful red wines

Some good value wines, but many more expensive now

Small DO created in 1987: 34 wineries

Main varietal: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo)

Continental climate

DO Bierzo

“Gateway to Galicia”: Currently high profile

Small red and white producing area

DO created in 1988: 39 wineries

Main grapes: Mencía and Godello

Mild climate

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<h2><strong>Cataluña</h2></strong>

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Huge region with 12 DOs with many climatic and geographic variations

1999: a region DO called DO Cataluña

Strongest on whites but also great reds

Widespread use of indigenous varieties

Widespread use of French varieties

90% of Cava produced here

Key in spread of modern equipment and techniques

All of the DOs are improving dramatically

DO Penedés

Important DO since 1960:  150 wineries

Important innovator in wine

Center of Cava production

Also elegant whites and reds

DOCa Priorat

Small, exclusive DO since 1954: 26 wineries

Very expensive wines

Famous for huge, mineral red wines

Unique soils: licorella

Use of Garnacha and Cariñena with French varieties

DO Montsant

Similar wines to Priorat…less expensive

DO Terra Alta

Still rustic at times…similar potential to Priorat

DO Alella

Tiny coastal DO: mostly known for whites

DO Apurdán-Costa Brava

Small coastal DO known traditionally for rosados

DO Concá de Barbera

Medium size interior DO used as source for cava wines

DO Costers de Segre

Small interior DO used a source for cava wines

DO Plá de Bagés

Tiny interior DO known for crisp whites

DO Tarragona

Large coastal/interior DO makes a wide variety of wines

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<h2><strong>Castilla La Mancha</h2></strong>

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Huge region: one of the biggest in the world

9 DOs:  more being created

Very hot region producing Mediterranean style red wines

Very good value and improving quality

Lots of jug wine still!

Very good Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla

Also several Vinos de Pago

DO La Mancha

Enormous DO making good quality wine from Tempranillo

DO Valdepeñas

Very large DO making traditional wines from Tempranillo

Other DOs

DO Almansa, DO Manchela, DO Méntrida, DO Mondéjar, DO Riber del Júcar

DO Vinos de Madrid

Not technically La Mancha, but similar situation and similar wines

Improving...but best wines are expensive

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<h2><strong>Aragon</h2></strong>

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Large region with 4 DOs

One is very high quality, the other three improving rapidly

Lots of jug wine made here

Excellent climate for high quality wine

DO Somontano

Small, but growing DO with excellent quality

Very good prices

Elegant, varied wines from indigenous and French varieties

DO Calatayud

Medium DO still rustic but interesting old-vine Garnacha and cavas

DO Cariñena

Large DO making lots of jug wine and some interesting old-vine Garnacha

DO Campo de Borja

Medium DO with lots of Garnacha

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<h2><strong>Galicia</h2></strong>

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Mild, wet region known for interesting whites with 5 DOs

DO Rias Baixas

Top quality, small DO making whites from Albariño

Humidity, rain, main challenges

No bulk wine allowed

Wines can be pricy

DO Valdeorras

High quality small DO on border with Leon

Eastern, sheltered location gives more full-bodied whites and reds from Godello and Mencía

DO Monterei

Hot, sheltered, tiny DO makes mostly reds

DO Ribeiro

Small, coastal DO makes light, spritzy, blended whites

DO Ribera Sacra

Small DO making traditional Galician whites

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<h2><strong>Navarra and Basque Country</h2></strong>

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One large DO and 3 tiny ones

DO Navarra

Large DO making some very good wines: 109 wineries

Use of a lot of indigenous and foreign grapes

Reputation built on rosés

Now many more interesting reds and whites

Cross between continental and Atlantic climate

DO Txacoli

Three separate DOs: Alava, Getaria, Vizcaya

Making vinho verde style wines from local varieties

Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza

Most are easy-drinking quaffers, but a few more serious wines being made now

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<h2><strong>Valencia and Murcia</h2></strong>

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Large jug wine areas now making very interesting wines

Murcia:  3 DOs

DO Jumilla

Enormous DO with growing reputation for quality wines

Red, quality wines based on Monastrell

Interesting dessert wines

DO Bullas

Small DO with higher altitude makes some interesting reds from Monastrell

DO Yecla

Medium DO similar to Jumilla

Valencia: 3 DOs

DO Valencia

Large DO making mostly insipid whites, but has potential for reds from Monastrell

DO Utiel Requena

Huge DO making lots of red jug wine

Very good wines being made from Bobal

DO Alicante

Large DO traditionally know for sweet wines

Now making good reds from Monastrell

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<h2><strong>Extremadura</h2></strong>

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Large DO (Ribera del Guadiana) making mostly jug wines

Good potential but little results

Best results in whites, though reds should be better

Many grapes varieties:  Tempranillo and Garnacha dominate

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<h2><strong>Balearic Islands</h2></strong>

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Tiny production

Most wine made for local tourist consumption

Cheap and cheerful

Some quality red wine made but quite pricy

Local varieties such as Callet, Fogoneu, Manto Negro

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<h2><strong>Canaries</h2></strong>

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Medium production made for tourist industry

Local varieties such as Listran and Malvasia

Whites much better than reds

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<h2><strong>Andalucia</h2></strong>

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Mostly fortified wines, but some interesting table wines being made in Malaga and around Granada

DO Jerez

Large DO of 10,000 hectares

Makes of fortified white wines of many types

Grapes:

Palomino for dry sherries

Moscatel and PX for sweet wines

Non-vintage wines made in criadera and solera systems

Like cava and champagne

To preserve house style

Finos and Manzanillas

Made in reductive style under protective "flor"

Dry and fresh

Amontillado

Aged Fino

Has oxidative notes plus freshness of Fino

Oloroso:

Solera without flor

Oxidized style:  nutty, brown

All start out dry:  some have PX added for sweetness

Palo Cortado

Rarest style

Cross between Oloroso and Amontillado

Has flor for short time

Sweet sherries

Moscatel and PX dried to raisins

Used as varietal wines and blenders

DO Montilla Moriles

Very similar wines to sherry but using PX as base wine

Whole range from Fino to sweet stickies

DO Malaga

Fortified dessert wines from Moscatel and PX

DO Huelva

Similar wines to Jerez

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<h2><strong>Cava</h2></strong>

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A style DO, not geographic

Sparkling wine made in Champenoise style

Mostly white, some rosé

Top sales in world before champagne

Produced in 160 municipalities

Cataluña:  90% of cava made here

Other provinces:  Rioja, Valencia, Extremadura, Aragon

Three traditional grapes:  Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel.lo

Other grapes:  Chardonnay, Monastrell, Pinot Noir

Tendency:  use of more French varieties
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