Spain is one of the most fascinating countries and wine regions in the world. With its temperate climate and population obsessed with good food and drink, it makes for the perfect place to create beautiful wines.  The country has 69 wine regions and hundreds of native grape varieties. All 17 of Spain’s provinces produce wine, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.  Spain has a wonderful way of blending tradition with innovation to produce outstanding wines at unbeatable prices! 

I love Spain and Spanish wines! It is where my wine journey began and still holds a special place in my heart to this day.  In this post, I will be sharing Spain’s most important grape varieties, varieties that everyone should absolutely try!

5 Spanish Amazing Grape Varieties To Try

ALBARIÑO

A white variety from Galicia in northwest Spain. This region is full of lush greenery and heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also the region where the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage ends. 

Albariño wines have a bright acidity, light to medium body, with aromas of jasmine flowers, citrus and stone fruit. If you’re looking for a perfect wine pairing for seafood and an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, look no further! 

You’ll find Albariño wines labeled as Rias Baixas.

HONDARRIBI ZURI

A white grape variety from the Basque region of northern Spain. Hondarribia is the name of a Basque town and “Zuri” in the local language (Esquerra), means white. The names combined, Hondarribi Zuri, translates to “The white from Hondarribi”. The variety produces wines with citrus aromas that are crisp, refreshing and slightly carbonated, perfect for relaxing outside on a hot summer day.

Hondarribi Zuri wines are labeled as Txakoli and Txakolina.

MENCÍA

A red grape variety cultivated in the provinces of Leon and Galicia in northwest Spain. Mencía wines are absolutely spectacular! The wines tend to be medium-bodied with a nice and bright minerality. In the nose, you’ll pick up aromas of flowers, earthiness and sour cherries… with a kick of spice! 

You can find Mencía wines labeled as Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Ribeiro.

MONASTRELL

Monastrell is the name given in Spain to the variety Mourvèdre. It originated in the southeast of Spain, more specifically in Valencia.  The climate in Valencia mimics that of southern California.  The wines are big and bold, with aromas of blackberries and charcuteri, with the addition of a delicious smokiness.  It pairs amazingly well with barbecued meat!

You can find Monastrell wines labeled as Jumilla and

GARNACHA

Garnacha, also known as Grenache is one of the most widely planted red grape varieties. Like Monastrell, Garnacha is native to the province of Aragón in northeastern Spain. Garnacha wines are medium to full-bodied, flavorful and bright. They burst with aromas of cherries and dried herbs. 

Garnacha wines are labeled with many names, some of the most popular are Montstant, Priorat, Catalunya and Campo de Borja.

TEMPRANILLO

Arguably Spain’s most important grape variety, Tempranillo is the grape responsible for producing its most well-known wine: Rioja. The word “Tempranillo” comes from the Spanish word, temprano, which translates to “early”. This is a reference to the fact that Tempranillo ripens several weeks earlier than most red varieties. The wines are medium to full-bodied with aromas of dried figs, smoke and leather. This is a grape variety that produces long-lived, complex and elegant wines. 

Tempranillo wines are labeled with many names, some of the most common ones are Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro and Navarra.

I hope you enjoyed this short summary of Spain’s most popular grape varieties and it inspired you to try them all. ¡Salud!

Interesting ones to try

2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley

• The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
• Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
• Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
• Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
• Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
• Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
• Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot

2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley

• Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
• Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
• Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish

2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley

• Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
• Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
• Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers

2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley

• A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
• Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
• Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
• Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
• Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience

2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate Merlot Napa Valley

• A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
• Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
• Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish

2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island

• A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
• Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice

2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County

• Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
• Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
• Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat

2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley

• Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
• Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
• Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances

2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington

• Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
• Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
• A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley

2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
• Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
• Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now

2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains

• Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
• Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
• Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead

2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
• Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
• A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30

2019 Seavey Merlot Napa Valley

• Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
• Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
• A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential

2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
• Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
• Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries

2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley

• Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
• Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish

2019 Vérité La Muse

• One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
• A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood

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