Very big: Wine from Spain

Spain is the country with the largest area of vineyards in the world. For a long time, the emphasis was on mass-produced wine, whereas today the focus is on quality. Technology, innovation and, increasingly, organic cultivation are leading to a continuous improvement in quality. For example, modern wineries are increasingly producing wines that enjoy international respect. The Catalonian vineyard Albet i Noya is a good example. Its wines, such as Reserva Martí or Vinya Laia, are repeatedly highly rated. And with regard to viticulture in harmony with nature, Albet i Noya is also taking a pioneering role.

Red (wine) is not everything

TheRioja, Priorat and Ribera del Duero regions are Spain’s most famous wine-producing regions as far as red wine is concerned. The Tempranillo variety in the north and Garnacha in the south are particularly significant in this respect. But Spain is far more than just a land of great reds. In every region, there are also white varieties in production, above all Airén, Verdejo, and Xarel-lo, as well as a large number of international varieties. They are used to produce fruity or full-bodied, barrique-aged white wines. The sparkling wines from the Penedès region are also popular.

More on this subject can be found in the section Weinwissen Spanien (Wine know-how, Spain).