Wine General Discussion

In our ongoing 🌍🍷 “Wines of the World Series”, Spanish edition, we continue our wine journey through this fascinating country, and today is the turn of the second part of our A-Z grape guide of the main varieties from Spain, along with their tasting profile and key regions.

Monastrell

A seriously ancient grape, it is thought to have originated in medieval Morvedre (today’s Sagunto, Valencia), but is known as well in France as Mourvedre and in the US and Australia as Mataró. Shaking off its more recent reputation of a high volume variety destined for bulk wines, it is coming into its own in several appellations of southeastern Spain, yielding wines rich in colour and flavour. Flavours range from meaty smoky notes to fresh plum and pepper, especially when planted at higher altitudes. 

🌍Key regions: Alicante, Almansa, Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla

Moscatel

A catch-all Spanish translation for Muscat. Moscatel de Grano Menudo is none other than Muscat blanc à petits grains, while Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel de Málaga, and Moscatel Romano are all Muscat of Alexandria, and part of this sprawling history grape family. Known best for its luscious sweet wines in DO Málaga, Andalusia, Moscatel de Alejandría is also used in still floral whites from DO Sierra de Málaga, while other types and expressions of Moscatel find its ideal terroir in different corners of Spain, from the coastal Mediterranean regions to Navarra. 

🌍Key regions: Málaga, Sierra de Málaga, Valencia

☝️ Pro tip: look out for wines from the high-altitude Axarquía district in Málaga, where gnarly old vines produce expressive wines with the typical mountain freshness

Tempranillo

The most famous red grape of Spain, known and named for its early ripening nature, this versatile variety is behind some of Spain’s true icons. Though frequently associated with Rioja and Ribera del Duero, it thrives in various climates across the country, making it a cornerstone of Spanish winemaking. Incredibly adaptable grape with a short growing cycle, it produces youthful, fresh wines, as well as rich, complex, ageworthy bottles. Often aged in French and American oak, it develops familiar flavours of vanilla, tobacco, and red fruits. 

🌍Key regions: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and all of Castilla y León, Castilla-la-Mancha, Toro

🔎Did you know? Tempranillo synonyms include Tinta Madrid, Tinta del País, Tinta de Tinta Fina, Tinto Fino, Tinta del Toro - and Ull de Llebre in Catalonia!

Tinta de Toro

Widely planted in Toro, the historic winemaking area in the northern, remote corner of Meseta, Tinta de Toro, a local variant of Tempranillo, is used to craft high-tannin, inky-hued wines with exceptional ageing potential. Adapted to the region’s climatic extremes, Tinta de Toro vines easily reach a potential alcohol level of 16%, so careful site selection and gentle winemaking become key. 

🌍Key regions: Toro

Verdejo

A characterful Spanish white grape that comes into its own in DO Rueda, in Castilla y León, it is most likely named for its distinctive blue-green bloom. An indigenous variety that almost disappeared after the region was ravaged by phylloxera, it came back to prominence in the 1970s and has since become the country’s go-to choice for a fresh aromatic vino blanco with bright citrus texture and herbal nuances, rounded off with a faintly bitter twist.

🌍Key regions: Rueda

Xarel·lo

Traditionally known as the backbone of ageworthy Spanish sparkling, Xarel·lo has come into its own as one of the trendiest whites from Catalonia. Its green fruit, earthy and herbal notes also take well to some skin contact, making some of the most memorable brisats (historic Catalan orange wine style).

🌍Key regions: Penedès, Alella

🔎Did you know? Xarel·lo is known as Pansa Blanca in DO Alella, Spain’s smallest appellation!