List of Spanish Grapes Varieties And Their Uses
Spain is a country that has many varieties of grapes to offer. After hearing this, it may seem hard to imagine getting familiar with them all! But we have good news! 80% of Spain’s wine production comes from 20 grape varieties – the ones listed above are some popular Spanish vineyards.
Currently, in Spain, there are over 70 different wine regions which are called Designation-of-Origin or D.O, and 2 more called Designation-of-Quality or DQA areas: Priorat and Rioja; these two regions produce world-renowned wines for their high quality and “noble” characteristics.
Some Renowned Spanish Grapes Varieties
When talking about Spanish wines, it is important to know the variety of grapes that were used to make a glass of wine and where the Spanish grapes were grown. In general, red wine will have different names depending on where they are planted! For example, Tempranillo (Spain’s most famous variety) has many district appellations and can even have different names if they’re in two different D.Os!
Our list of the main Spanish grapes varieties will help you get to know your players and discover some new ones that are worth getting acquainted with! We’ll be back next week once more for those who enjoy white wines!
If you are ordering wine in a restaurant, try using the “D” of DO instead of the grape’s name. This way you will ensure that your order will be served with what you want to drink rather than something else entirely.
Tempranillo can be found throughout Spain, but it is the fourth most planted grape on Earth! Its versatility means that it pairs well with red meat and many other dishes like roasted vegetables or hearty kinds of pasta. Jamon Iberico is a perfect pairing for this wine because of its high-fat content which helps to balance out the tannins from Tempranillo better than anything else since they both have similar flavor profiles.
Mexican food would also pair very well with this wine due to their shared spiciness/pungency, however, you could certainly enjoy them together or even between meals if desired.
Spanish Grapes Varieties
Garnacha
In Spain, you’ll find Garnacha in the Northeastern area of La Rioja, Navarra, and Aragón. The grape is important in Cataluña as well where it’s a popular varietal from old vines of Priorat or Montsant. As single-varietal wines, it produces fruity red wines with medium tannins and high levels of alcohol (around 13%).
However, you can usually expect this variety to also be used for blends like Cariñena since most Spanish grapes produce best when grown together—and easily become confused! In wine regions like Navarra or Penédes, there are rosés made using Garnacha–though less common than blending varieties such as Viura which make more colorful fruit flavors.
Perfect food pairing for Garnaxta wines: being so versatile that it can be paired with almost anything! Try it with beans or lentils-based dishes cooked with soy sauce; roasted pork; red cheddar cheese. Yum!
The best Spanish grapes varieties are always paired with their traditional food. A glass of Spanish red wine is a perfect companion for delicious Jamon!
Carignan – Cariñena
Known as Carignan in the rest of the world, but its rightful name is Cariñena. This area now has its own D.O, aptly named after the grape itself- it’s called Mazuelo in Rioja, and there (as well as in Priorat and Montsant), old vines can produce tangy high alcohol wines with high acidity levels that are perfect for aging due to their tannic boldness and intense red flavors! In Catalonia, this grape is also referred to by a different name: Samsó.
Some of the most intense, luxurious, and tasty wines in Spain come from these two Spanish grapes varieties: Priorat and Montsa.
Monastrell – Mouvedre – Mataró
This popular Spanish Spanish grapes variety is the typical grape of Murcia and the south of Valencia. It produces powerful wines with great structure and body somewhat higher than normal, thanks to its thick-skinned black skin which can produce lots of polyphenols resulting in high tannins.
This very difficult growing plant also tends to produce good yields one year but small yields another! Perfect wine pairing for this type of wine: deep, bold smoky reds that are perfect for robust dishes like smoked meats or barbecue veggies paired with tender steak – food heaven!
Mencia
The Spanish grape of the special wine we sell in Bodega Maestrazgo is Cabernet Franc. It carries red-cherry intensity and herbal notes, which are often found in a variety of wineries throughout the world. The wines produced from this grape are complex, peppery, and bright with hints of flowery fruits like pomegranate as well as earthy tones that include hints along with more delicate Mencia Spanish grapes grown from vineyards located near Rioja’s Ribeira Sacra region, where 75% out total plantings can be found.
Younger versions have cherry-red color to them; good acidity; moderate tannins too! They also carry aromas such as strawberry, raspberry, or cherry flavors and some floral & mineral notes that tend to give way into deeper hues over time – but only if they’re age-worthy!
We love Raul Perez’s wines. He is known as the master of Mencia and we have a large selection of many of his single-vineyard offerings, all Mencia based and delicious! Buy these small productions now before they are gone by contacting us for more information on purchasing them.
The perfect pairing for this wine would be to eat it with meats that have a peppery flavor such as steak, pastrami, or corned beef – pork sausage or veal also goes well with this type of wine!
Alicante Bouschet – Garnacha Tintorea
This Spanish grape has red pulp, so it is not only glossy in appearance but also juicy and fragrant. It’s one of the few varieties with red pulp. As fewer vines are being planted than before, this variety’s impressive history makes up for its lack of modern popularity!
What you will find here is a wine that looks dark in color and heavy-bodied when sipped or served at dinner parties due to the high alcohol content – Garnacha Tintorea wines have an intense aroma of fruitiness (red fruits). This produces a very accentuated color as well!
Pair these wines with semi-hard cheeses such as Parmesan or pecorino romano; sausages and fried foods like breaded chicken tenders paired perfectly together by Garnacha Tintorea wine.
Bobal Grapes
Bobal is a popular Spanish grapes variety, making wines known for their dark color and chewy tannins. It also makes rosés that are juicy, perfect for summer sipping! Bobal can be found in various regions of Spain: Valencia, Murcia, Castilla La Mancha, and Catalonia. By itself this varietal wine has been thought to be extinct- but the reemergence of Bobal has shown its quality increase significantly.
Paella is a traditional Spanish dish, made of rice and saffron. Bobal wines Spanish grapes well with stews that are rich in oil, especially those containing seafood like oysters or prawns.
Final Verdict: Spanish Grapes
What is it about the Spanish Grapes wine industry that has seen a big rise in the production of these grape varieties? The answer is simple: Spain’s climate. There are very few areas where Cabernet Sauvignon can grow, and because they do well almost everywhere, this nation has been at the forefront of experimentation with its wines for centuries. What type of wine will you find made from these Spanish grapes?
If you’re looking for an intense drink that packs a wallop, then look no further than Spanish Syrahs! In contrast to other regions all over Europe (not just France), most Spaniards prefer their red wines light-bodied and fruity rather than heavy or robust tasting.
You can also read: https://www.fruigees.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-kyoho-grapes/
That said, there are exceptions to this rule as many winemakers have embraced blending traditional varietals of Spanish grapes such as Tempranillo with newer hybrid cultivars like Cabernet Franc which produce more flavor intensity without sacrificing acidity or aroma profiles.
