Spain is one of the world’s leading wine producers. It is the country with the largest extension of vineyards, but is only third in terms of production (after Italy and France) due to much lower yields per hectare. Spain produces all types of wine: spicy, full-bodied reds, fresh, lively whites, classic method spumantes, sweet raisin wines and fortified wines. The country is shaped like a large plateau and the vineyards are generally at high altitudes, often over 600 metres above sea level. This compensates, in terms of climate, for its southern latitude. Most of the wine-growing areas are arid and dry, so the vines are grown bush-trained, with low planting density. But in recent decades, many things have changed. The Spanish vineyard has been modernised, and in addition to the traditional grapes we can find international varieties and vineyards designed according to modern criteria to produce fine quality wines.

The most famous native wine varieties are Tempranillo and Garnacha among the black grapes, while Albariño and Verdejo are the most characteristic white grapes. The main designations for red wines are Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat; and for white wines Rías Baixas and Rueda. Spain also produces a famous classic method spumante, Cava, from local grapes, although Chardonnay and Pinot Noir may also be used in the blend. Last but not least, it produces the famous Sherry, a fortified wine made in Andalusia from the Palomino grape variety (or Pedro Ximenes for the sweet version).