There is no better country to visit if you enjoy wine than Spain. The nation is home to more than 70 wine-producing areas, each with a distinctive style and flavour profile.
The best approach to discovering the wine regions, sampling various Spanish wines, and becoming fully immersed in the long history of Spanish wine is to organise a wine tour in Spain.
In this article, we'll guide you on how to plan the ultimate Spanish wine tour for your holiday. Organising a wine tour is a great way to learn about certain regions in Spain, its people and the agriculture industry in the country.
A wine tour is also an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon as you will be able to explore the property and its surrounding hinterlands. To round off your day you can expect to sample a selection of wines that have been grown on the premises.
You will often have the opportunity to purchase some of the wines that have been produced in the area. What better souvenir could you collect from your holiday than a nice bottle of Spanish wine that you got from your tour?
Introduction to Spanish Wine
Spanish wine is unique in its flavour profile and style, with each wine region producing wines that are distinct from one another. The most popular Spanish wines are red wines, which account for over 60% of the country's wine production.
The two most popular red wines in Spain are Tempranillo and Garnacha. Tempranillo is a medium-bodied wine with a fruity aroma and flavours of cherry and vanilla. Garnacha, on the other hand, is a full-bodied wine with a higher alcohol content and flavours of blackberry, plum, and spice
Spain also produces excellent white wines, such as Albariño and Verdejo. Albariño is a light-bodied wine with a citrusy aroma and flavours of peach and apricot. Verdejo is a full-bodied wine with a floral aroma and flavours of peach and pear.
A language learning app can be a great way to improve your Spanish skills in a short period of time if you incorporate it into your study method.
Spanish Wine Regions to Explore
Spain has over 70 wine regions, each with its own unique style and flavour profile. Some of the most popular Spanish wine regions to explore include Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rias Baixas, and Jerez.
Rioja is the most famous wine region in Spain, known for its Tempranillo-based red wines. Ribera del Duero is another popular wine region, known for its full-bodied red wines made from Tempranillo grapes. Priorat is a small wine region in Catalonia, known for its rich, full-bodied red wines.
Rias Baixas is a wine region in Galicia, known for its crisp, aromatic white wines made from Albariño grapes. Jerez is a wine region in Andalusia, known for its fortified wine, Sherry.
Discover the world of Spanish music with raggaeton, flamenco and the other traditional music genres it offers.
Planning Your Spanish Wine Tour
You can either plan your wine tour yourself or use a tour company to plan your itinerary for you. Research the many wine areas, wineries, and wine experiences that are available if you're organising your own wine trip. To make the most of your wine trip, you may also schedule your vineyard visits and tastings in advance.
The best time to visit Spanish wineries depends on the wine region you're visiting. Spain's harvest season normally lasts from August to October, which makes it a popular time to visit vineyards. However, this is also the busiest period of the year, so it's crucial to make reservations for your vineyard trips.
If you're looking for a quieter time to visit wineries, the offseason (December to March) can be a great option. This is also a great time to try out the different Spanish winter wines, such as Cava and Rioja Reserva.
Spanish Red Wines to Try
If you're a red wine lover, Spain is the perfect place to explore. Spanish red wines are known for their bold, complex flavours and aromas. Some of the top Spanish red wines to try include:
- Rioja: This is the most famous wine region in Spain, known for its Tempranillo-based red wines. Rioja wines are typically aged in oak barrels, giving them a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Ribera del Duero: This is another popular wine region in Spain, known for its full-bodied red wines made from Tempranillo grapes. Ribera del Duero wines are typically aged in oak barrels, giving them a rich, woody flavor.
- Priorat: This small wine region in Catalonia is known for its rich, full-bodied red wines made from Garnacha and Cariñena grapes. Priorat wines are typically aged in oak barrels, giving them a rich, complex flavour profile.
Spanish White Wines to Try
While Spanish red wines are more popular, Spain also produces excellent white wines that are worth trying. Some of the top Spanish white wines to try include:
- Albariño: This is a light-bodied white wine with a citrusy aroma and flavours of peach and apricot. Albariño is grown in the Rias Baixas wine region in Galicia.
- Verdejo: This is a full-bodied white wine with a floral aroma and flavours of peach and pear. Verdejo is grown in the Rueda wine region in Castilla y León.
- Txakoli: This is a light-bodied white wine with a slightly effervescent texture and flavours of green apple and citrus. Txakoli is grown in the Basque Country and is often served with pintxos (tapas).
Spanish Wine and Food Pairings
Spanish wine is often paired with traditional Spanish dishes, such as paella, tapas, and cured meats. Some of the top Spanish wine and food pairings to try include:
- Rioja and lamb: Rioja's bold, complex flavour profile pairs well with the rich, savoury flavours of lamb.
- Albariño and seafood: Albariño's citrusy aroma and flavours of peach and apricot pair well with fresh seafood dishes.
- Cava and paella: Cava's effervescent texture and crisp, refreshing flavour profile pair well with the rich, savoury flavours of paella.
Tips for Enjoying Your Spanish Wine Tour
To make the most of your Spanish wine tour, consider these tips:
- Pace yourself: Spanish wine is often high in alcohol content, so it's important to pace yourself and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Dress comfortably: Wineries can be dusty and hot, so it's important to dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes.
- Take a break: Winery visits can be tiring, so it's important to take a break and enjoy the scenery, take a walk through the vineyards, or relax with a picnic lunch.
Watching Spanish films is a great way to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture and get accustomed to hearing local speakers.
The Benefits of Taking a Wine Tour in Spain
Taking a wine tour in Spain is a great way to explore the different wine regions, try out different Spanish wines, and learn about the rich history of Spanish wine.
Wine tours often include transportation, winery visits, wine tastings, and food pairings, making it easy to enjoy your wine tour without worrying about the logistics.
Wine tours also offer the opportunity to meet other wine lovers and make new friends. If you are travelling solo then this is a great way to make friends while enjoying a few glasses of wine right from the grounds where it was made.
A wine tour will also teach you a great deal about the process behind how each bottle is made right up to the moment you put it in your trolly in the supermarket.
This will add to your appreciation of the craft and will give you an interesting bit of trivia to impress your friend at the next gathering that you host.
One of the best ways to delve and experience the Spanish culture is to learn some Spanish phrases which may help you sound more like a local.
Top Wine Tour Companies in Spain
If you're looking for a wine tour company to plan your Spanish wine tour, consider these top wine tour companies in Spain:
- Wine Tourism Spain: This company offers customised wine tours to some of the top wine regions in Spain, including Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat.
- Bodegas Torres: This winery offers guided tours of its vineyards and winery, as well as wine tastings and food pairings.
- Viator: This company offers a variety of wine tours throughout Spain, including winery visits, wine tastings, and food pairings.
Organising a Spanish wine tour is a wonderful opportunity to see the many wine-producing regions, sample various Spanish wines, and discover the fascinating history of Spanish wine. Whatever your preference in wine—red or white—Spain offers a variety to suit you.
Remember to pace yourself, dress comfortably, and take breaks throughout the day to make the most of your wine tour. With the right planning and preparation, you're sure to have an unforgettable Spanish wine tour experience.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
