Spain is the largest wine-growing country in the world in terms of vineyard area, but in terms of the quantities of wine produced it ranks only third behind Italy and France. One of the reasons for this is that traditions still play a major role in Spain, despite today's very dynamic and modernised viticulture.
Many vineyards are still bush trained, so there are far fewer vines per hectare than in France or Italy, for example, which combined with the warm, dry climate, makes for lower yields than elsewhere.
Historically, it is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in Europe, with wine history dating back to about 3000 to 4000 B.C. Under the Phoenicians, Spanish viticulture experienced its first heyday about 200 B.C., which the Romans continued. Under Arab rule a few centuries later, viticulture stagnated, but the new rulers in the country tolerated the production of wine.
In the second half of the 20th century viticulture really took off; cellars as well as vineyards were modernised or repaired, and Spain developed into a dynamic, modern wine-growing nation. But traditions have remained, and the interaction with modern developments can be observed in no other region as excellently as in Rioja, where traditional wineries such as Lopez de Herredia or Marques de Murrieta meet modern interpretations of this famous wine style.
A good 960,000 hectares are now under vines, from the north in the foothills of the Pyrenees and Galicia, down to Andalucia, home to one of Spain's most famous wines, sherry. Modern and highly committed winemakers such as Telmo Rodriguez or Alvaro Palacio shape the image of Spanish viticulture, as do large family wineries such as Torres, which send clear signals with their commitment to the environment and sustainable viticulture.
The most famous region of the north is Rioja, which provides perhaps the most famous wine of the country, produced mostly as a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Marzuelo and Graciano varieties. The region's winemaking history is largely influenced by winemakers from Bordeaux, who moved to the other side of the Pyrenees at the time of the phylloxera disaster. Neighbouring Navarre also produces wines from a comparable mix of grape varieties, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon. Northwestern Spain, on the other hand, is very cool due to the Atlantic influence, so crisp, fruity and lively fresh white wines are produced here, such as in Rias Baixas, from the Alvarinho variety.
Red wines from the Mencia variety also deliver exciting and promising red wines here today. Penedes, the region on the Mediterranean coast near Barcelona, has a wide range of grape varieties and, with the best Cavas, provides attractive alternatives to Champagne.
Priorat, further south, has stood for spectacular red wines from 80 to 100-year-old vines, especially of the Carignano variety, for at least 30 years. This also applies to the Ribera del Duero region, located about 200 kilometers north of Madrid, which also delights the hearts of wine lovers with Vega Sicilia, one of the world's great cult wines.
Many other regions vie for the favour of wine lovers, the most famous of which is perhaps the Toro region, which also brings a spicy, fruity white wine to the table with the Verdejo from neighbouring Rueda. But the most famous product, apart from the wines of Rioja, remains sherry, which continues to enjoy great popularity in English-speaking countries.
Spanish cuisine is also enormously varied. In addition to fish and seafood, the famous tapas plays a major role, and of course the Spanish national dish, paella. Star restaurants, such as "El Bulli" in Barcelona have made history. Today it is restaurants such as the "Celler de Grand Roca" in Girona, or the "Sublimotion" on Ibiza, which together with numerous restaurants in Barcelona, Madrid or Cordoba set the accents.
