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September 9th is "Spanish Wine Day." While France and Italy are often associated with wine, Spain is a major wine-producing country, often referred to as one of the "world's three major wine-producing countries." We'll introduce you to some tips on how to choose a Spanish wine that won't disappoint, even if you're just starting out, as well as some recommended Spanish wines that make great gifts.
The origin of "Spanish Wine Day"
September 9th became "Spanish Wine Day" because of the approval of the "Wine Law (Estatuto del Vino)" in Spain on September 8th, 1932. The Wine Law is a law that strictly regulates wine production methods and label content in order to maintain the quality of wine.
Spanish Wine Day was established by the Spanish Wine Institute, which aims to spread the word about the excellence of Spanish wine.
Characteristics of Spanish wine
Spain has a climate throughout the country that is suitable for grape cultivation, and the soil properties vary from region to region. As a result, there are a large number of grape varieties cultivated and a wide variety of wines produced. Furthermore, Spain has the largest area of organically cultivated vineyards in the world, and many of its wines are made using sustainable farming methods that are kind to the environment.
Spanish wines tend to have an image of being "cheap and good value for money," but although they are not widely available in Japan, there are many mid- to high-priced Spanish wines.Their quality is comparable to that of French and Italian wines, so why not try tasting a variety of brands and find your favorite?
How to choose a good Spanish wine
Particularly famous Spanish wines are the sparkling wine "Cava" and "Sherry," which is made with brandy to increase its alcohol content, but there are many other types as well. If you feel like there are too many options and you don't know how to choose, try keeping the following three points in mind.
choose by color
Wine is broadly divided into two types: red and white. While "sherry" is sometimes treated as a separate category, it is technically a type of white wine.
The flavor varies depending on the variety and aging period, but generally speaking, red wine has a rich, fruity flavor that becomes mellower the longer it is aged.White wine has a good balance of fresh, fruity flavor and a strong, lingering acidity.
If you're new to wine and don't know whether red or white is right for you, it's best to choose white, which has a relatively low alcohol content, is light on the palate, and pairs well with a variety of dishes. There are also red wine brands for beginners, but choosing can be a bit of a hassle, as there are many things to consider, such as the astringency, acidity, and alcohol content.
Choose by variety
Approximately 160 varieties of grapes are grown in Spain, each with its own unique characteristics. Start by looking at the most popular varieties to find one that suits your taste.
| Variety name | Main Color | Features |
| Tempranillo | "Red" | It has the flavor of red fruits such as strawberries and plums. It has a good balance of aroma, mellowness and acidity, making it suitable for long-term aging. |
| Garnacha (Grenache) | "Red" | It has a fruity raspberry aroma. Its high sugar content makes it an excellent source of sweet wine. It is often blended with other varieties such as Tempranillo. |
| Parellada | white | The main variety of Cava. Characterized by a floral aroma and firm acidity and body. |
| Albariño | white | It has a refreshing aroma reminiscent of peach and grapefruit, a strong acidity, and a minerality that evokes the ocean. |
| Bobal | "Red" | A variety native to Spain and rarely found elsewhere, it is resistant to weather and disease and produces wines with a rich colour. |
| Mencía | "Red" | It has a fresh taste with relatively low tannins and acidity. Since the 2000s, it has been attracting attention as it has started producing high-quality red wines. |
| Xarel·lo | white | One of the main varieties of Cava. It produces many aromatic wines with a rich acidity, freshness, and minerality. In recent years, it has also gained popularity as a single-variety wine. |
| Verdelho | white | Along with Parellada Xarello, this is one of the main varieties of Cava. It has a fresh yet rich flavor. It often produces wines with distinctive citrus and herb aromas. |
Select by origin (grade)
Spanish wines are generally classified in a pyramid shape, with six levels from the base to the top. This classification is based on the EU's "Appellation of Origin System," and the climate, soil, and traditions of each wine-producing region are used to guarantee quality.
Vino de Pago (VP) (premium wine made exclusively from a single vineyard)
This is the highest quality wine at the top of the pyramid. It is produced in limited vineyards that are recognized as having the best climate, soil, and altitude for winemaking, and it has a unique character that can only be produced in this vineyard.
Denomination of Origin Calificada (DOC)
This refers to high-quality wines that have been certified as DO (Designation of Origin) for more than 10 years and have been upgraded according to strict criteria. Currently, only two wines are classified as DOC: Rioja and Priorat.
Denomination of Origin (DO)
This refers to high-quality wines whose soil, variety, and brewing method are regulated by law. It accounts for approximately 6% of the wine produced in Spain and is the core category of Spanish wine.
Vino de Calida with Indicacion Geographica (VC) (Premium Wine with Regional Appellation)
This is a new classification established in 2003. It refers to wines made from grapes harvested in a specific region and that express the regional characteristics. Wines that have achieved this classification for more than five years can apply for promotion to DO (Designation of Origin).
Vino de la Tierra
These wines are so-called regional wines, and are labeled with the name of the town or region where they were produced. Although the region of origin can be indicated, the regulations are much more relaxed than for the higher-ranking wines.
Vino
This generally refers to mass-produced wine, known as table wine. It is a general term for wines made using grapes grown in unclassified regions or vineyards, or blends of wines from different regions or vineyards. In the past, it was not permitted to label wines with the name of the region, variety, or harvest year, but recent legal changes have made it possible to label the variety and harvest year if certain conditions are met.
Choose by winery
Spanish wines have different characteristics depending not only on the origin and variety of grapes used, but also on the producer (winery). Below are some representative wineries and their characteristics.
| Winery | Features |
| Marquis of Riscal（マルケス・デ・リスカル） | This winery is one of the country's leading premium winemakers, and also produces wine exclusively for the Spanish royal family. Many of the wines sold in Japan are in the 1,000 yen range, making them excellent value for money. The hotel attached to the winery grounds has become a popular tourist attraction due to its distinctive design. |
| La Rioja Alta | This long-established winery was founded in 1890. They are also keen to introduce the latest technology, such as installing chips in all their barrels that record the origin of the grapes and the winemaking process. |
| Vega Sicilia | The winery rose to fame when its unique blend of imported French varieties and Tempranillo won a gold medal at the Barcelona World Expo. While incorporating modern techniques, the winery continues to preserve the classic, old-fashioned flavor of Spanish wine. |
| Álvaro Palacios | Founded by Alvaro, one of the "Priorat Four" who revived the devastated Priorat region as a premium wine-producing region, the company respects nature, loves the land, and produces wines using traditional methods, focusing on Garnacha grapes. |
| Torres | This prestigious winery, also known as the "King of Spain," has a history of over 150 years. Its wide range of wines and affordable prices make it a great value. |
| Bodegas Martín Códax | The wine they produce is primarily made from Albariño grapes. It is also popular as a white wine that pairs well with Japanese food. Due to the small harvest, it commands one of the highest trading prices. |
3 Recommended Spanish Wines for Gifts or for Yourself!
Here we will introduce some popular Spanish wines. We have collected brands that are perfect as gifts for alcohol lovers or as a little treat for yourself.
This red wine is made using only grapes grown and harvested in fields certified by an official organic certification organization. It has a light body that is easy to drink even for beginners. There are a total of 75 different engraving designs that can be placed on the bottle. There are also plenty of options for gift wrapping and gift tags, making it a great gift.
This four-bottle set features carefully selected Spanish wines, each with its own unique character, allowing you to enjoy the differences in vineyards and grapes. Ulterior means "future" or "new land" in Latin. These authentic wines are crafted on land passed down through generations, with an eye to the future.
This Rioja red wine has a rich, full-bodied flavor. Its clean, refreshing taste makes it a perfect match for meat dishes. Enjoy the mellow, rich flavor that comes from its long, careful aging process.
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