A symbol of the Spain’ s storied history, the Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba has housed a pagan temple, Visigothic Christian church, mosque and Roman Catholic cathedral.
Tempranillo: The Noble Grape( Photo courtesy of Wines from Spain)
grapes of Spain
Red
Tempranillo( Temp-rahknee-oh) Region: Rioja and Ribera del Duero
Garnacha( Gar-nach-ah), also known as Grenache Region: Rioja, Priorato, and Navarra
Monastrell( Mon-az-trell), also known as Mourvèdre Region: Jumilla and Penedès
Cariñena( Kari-nyen-ya), also known as Carignan Region: Calatayud and Costers del Segre
White
Verdejo( Ver-day-ho) Region: Rueda
Albariño( Al-bah-reen-yo) Region: Rías Baixas
Airén( Eh-ren) Region: La Mancha and Alicante
Tradition
Vines have graced Spain’ s countryside for over 3,000 years, brought first by the Phoenicians, and perpetuated by the Romans. Since the 8th century, wine has been part of the fabric of Spanish progress. With the arrival of the phylloxera( the pest that devastated much of France), an influx of French winemakers moved south of the Pyrenees, and brought with them modern winemaking techniques and new grape varietals. When phylloxera hit Stpain, they were prepared, and the wine industry continued to grow unabated. The late 20th century has been the most important for Spain, with the development of regulations aimed at increasing quality, and an evolution in winemaking techniques and equipment.
One grape to rule them all
While Spanish winemakers work with a diverse set of grape varieties, Tempranillo is omnipresent. Tempranillo is unique in its ability to grow in many different climates, which has meant an abundance of wine styles emerging from this one grape. It can be fresh and perfumed in Rioja Alavesa, and big and broody in Toro. In Navarra, it is silky and voluptuous, whereas in Ribera del Duero, it shows blackberry and current, and an amazing affinity to oak. Tempranillo can be light and fresh when poured young, but also has amazing aging potential when sourced from Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Tempranillo’ s steady dance partner is normally Garnacha( Grenache), but it may also occasionally tango with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.
Diversity
Spain’ s diversity is often overlooked. It is the third largest country in Europe, and covers over 500,000 km 2 across latitudes ranging from 36 to 44 degrees( most wine is grown between the latitudes of 30 and 50 degrees in the Northern Hemisphere). Across its large tracts of land you will find arid desert conditions, Mediterranean conditions, continental conditions, and almost every other climate condition possible.
The diversity flows through Spain’ s lifeblood: its people. When it comes to cultural diversity, Spain is one of the richest countries on earth. Strong, distinct cultures of Catalan and Basque as well as Muslim culture add a richness to the country’ s history of art, architecture, and music. All of these factors lead to an environment where diversity is celebrated. Wine styles are equally diverse: Spanish wine can vary from the bubbly wines of Cava, to the rich oak-aged reds of the Rioja, to the dry( and sometimes sweet) Sherry of the southwest.
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