Spain & Portugal
Two distinct wine cultures on the Iberian Peninsula.
Spain
Classification System
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DOCa / DOQ | Highest quality (only Rioja and Priorat) |
| DO | Denominación de Origen - quality designation |
| VdlT | Vino de la Tierra - regional |
| VdM | Vino de Mesa - table wine |
Ageing Terms (Red Wines)
| Term | Total Ageing | Oak Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Joven | None required | None |
| Crianza | 2 years | 6 months (Rioja: 1 year) |
| Reserva | 3 years | 1 year |
| Gran Reserva | 5 years | 18 months (Rioja: 2 years) |
Rioja (DOCa)
Location: North-central Spain, Ebro River Climate: Continental, Atlantic influence Key grape: Tempranillo (75%+)
Sub-regions: | Sub-region | Character | |------------|-----------| | Rioja Alta | Higher altitude, elegant | | Rioja Alavesa | Similar to Alta, Basque | | Rioja Oriental (Baja) | Warmer, fuller wines |
Style: - Traditional: Extended American oak ageing, vanilla, coconut, dill - Modern: French oak, fresher fruit, shorter ageing
Other grapes: Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo (Cariñena)
White Rioja: Viura (Macabeo), can be oaked and age-worthy
Ribera del Duero (DO)
Location: North-central Spain, Duero River (becomes Douro in Portugal) Climate: Continental, extreme (hot summers, cold winters) Key grape: Tempranillo (called Tinto Fino or Tinta del País) Style: More powerful than Rioja, darker fruit, more structured
Famous producers: Vega Sicilia (Único), Pingus
Priorat (DOCa)
Location: Catalonia, inland from Barcelona Climate: Hot, dry Soil: Llicorella (black slate) Grapes: Garnacha, Cariñena (old vines) Style: Powerful, concentrated, mineral, high alcohol
Other Spanish Regions
| Region | Key Wines |
|---|---|
| Rías Baixas | Albariño (aromatic white, seafood wine) |
| Rueda | Verdejo (crisp white) |
| Penedès | Cava (sparkling), Torres estates |
| Navarra | Rosado (rosé), Garnacha |
| Jumilla/Yecla | Monastrell (Mourvèdre), big reds |
| Toro | Powerful Tempranillo |
Sherry (Jerez)
Location: Andalucía, southwest Spain Key towns: Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa María Grape: Palomino (99% of production)
Production: 1. Fortified after fermentation 2. Aged in solera system (fractional blending) 3. Flor (yeast layer) develops on some styles
Styles (driest to sweetest):
| Style | Character | Flor? |
|---|---|---|
| Fino | Pale, dry, almond, saline | Yes |
| Manzanilla | Fino from Sanlúcar, lighter, salty | Yes |
| Amontillado | Amber, dry, nutty (flor dies) | Initially |
| Palo Cortado | Rare, between Amontillado and Oloroso | Some |
| Oloroso | Dark, rich, dry, nutty, oxidative | No |
| Pedro Ximénez (PX) | Very sweet, raisin, syrup | No |
| Cream | Oloroso + PX blend, sweet | No |
Cava (DO)
Location: Mainly Catalonia (Penedès) Method: Traditional method (like Champagne) Grapes: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo Style: Crisp, citrus, affordable sparkling
Portugal
Classification System
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DOC | Denominação de Origem Controlada |
| IPR | Quality regional wine |
| VR | Vinho Regional |
| VdM | Vinho de Mesa |
Port
Location: Douro Valley (inland), aged in Vila Nova de Gaia (coast) Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinto Cão, Tinta Barroca Method: Fermentation stopped by grape spirit addition (fortification)
Styles:
| Style | Ageing | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby | 2-3yr tank | Young, fruity, sweet |
| Reserve/Fine Ruby | 4-6yr tank | Richer ruby |
| Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) | 4-6yr, single vintage | Ready to drink, fruity |
| Vintage/Vintage Port | 2yr, single vintage | Needs bottle age (decades) |
| Tawny | Tank aged | Simple, nutty |
| 10/20/30/40yr Tawny | Barrel aged | Nutty, caramel, oxidative |
| Colheita | Single vintage tawny | Dated, aged in barrel |
| White Port | White grapes | Dry or sweet, aperitif |
Vintage Port: Declared in exceptional years only (~3 per decade)
Madeira
Location: Madeira Island (Atlantic) Unique: Heated ageing (estufagem or canteiro) Styles (by grape, driest to sweetest):
| Grape | Style |
|---|---|
| Sercial | Dry, high acid |
| Verdelho | Off-dry |
| Bual | Medium sweet |
| Malmsey | Sweet, rich |
Virtually indestructible: High acid + fortification = ages for centuries
Other Portuguese Regions
| Region | Key Wines |
|---|---|
| Vinho Verde | Light, slightly fizzy, low alcohol, citrus |
| Dão | Elegant reds (Touriga Nacional) |
| Alentejo | Full reds, modern style |
| Bairrada | Baga grape, tannic reds |
Quiz Yourself
- What is the main grape of Rioja?
- Name the Sherry styles from driest to sweetest.
- What is the solera system?
- What makes Vintage Port different from LBV?
- What are the 4 noble grapes of Madeira?