Spain turns out tons of variations of white, rose, sparkling and red wines every year.
Spain retains its position among the top three winemakers by production. Spain is the progenitor of approximately five hundred home-grown wine variations, grown in close to seventy vital wine provinces. As a matter of fact, if acreage is considered as the sole factor, Spain represents the most prolific wine-producing region across the globe.
Nevertheless, the majority of the proportion of wines produced within Spain originates from 20 variations of cultivated grapes.
The most sought-after varieties include sherry, red wines, fortified wines, and Cava, which are produced from Parellada grapes.
The historical significance of these ambrosial liquids cannot be ignored, which is why we take a small detour through history to understand the context behind Spanish wines. This will also assist in making the process of purchasing Viner från Spanien easier for many.
Corroboration supporting the actuality of wine-making practices has been found within Spain, placing them around 4000 BC. Wine, having its origin in Spain, had its heyday under the rule of the Roman empire.
With the Roman empire’s demise, the penchant for Spanish wines reduced considerably. However, with the region’s takeback by indigenous Iberians, Spanish wines also faced a significant resurgence.
European viticulture practitioners had their share of the popularity pie circa 1492. Globetrotters and vanquishers staked their claims on newer regions capable of producing wines. What also helped was that these new regions capable of producing wines were located outward of Europe.
Subsequently, the penchant for Spanish wines caught on to larger markets like those of the Americas. Due to their significantly larger market sizes, Spanish wines benefited from fresher varieties being brought in and also from developments in production techniques.
Winemaking as a practice has been transformed into a nouveau industry owing to incremental and significant developments in processes.
Individuals may discover procuring Viner från Spanien to be an arduous task if they don’t comprehend the categorization system surrounding Spanish wines, which is known as the Denominacion de Origen, abbreviated as “DO.”
The Spanish “DO” system may present no challenges to individuals well acquainted with French and Italian wine classifications as they are similar in nature. The categorizations are based on the regions where the wines are produced, and regulations surrounding these wines also tow along in a similar fashion.
Categorizations imply the existence of superior and inferior alternatives, which holds true for Spanish wines as well. These wines are all produced within single estates and are packaged under stringent regulatory circumstances. Spanish wines are representative of their locational attributes and hence, demand higher market premiums.
Wine-producing regions retaining their “DO” statuses for a minimum of a decade hold the possibility of being advanced to “DOCa” status. The “DOCa” status is representative of the highest denomination within the Spanish wine categorization systems. So, it would be pertinent to look for such classifications prior to procuring Viner från Spanien.
Presently, the honor of the “DOCa” denomination is conferred upon only two regions, namely Priorat and Rioja. The “DOCa” denomination leaves no room for locational irregularities, owing to the stringent regulations surrounding it. This is why people procuring Viner från Spanien from these regions should hold no apprehensions about the quality of their purchase.
Besides, for attaining the “DO” denomination, wine-producing provinces must undergo half a decade of stringent observation. The stringent observations surround practices regarding raw material varieties, techniques employed, aging procedures, and production outputs, apart from others. The “DO” denomination represents the broadest categorization with respect to wines of Spanish origin.
Some illustrious wines possessing the “DO” denomination include Penedes, Rias Baixas, and La Mancha. People procuring Viner från Spanien from these regions can still rely on their quality since there continue to be regulations surrounding their production. However, it’s also important to note that this denomination is a rung lower than the “DOCa” status.
“VC” and “VT” represent the third-last and second-last denominations respectively bestowed upon wines of Spanish origin. The dissimilarities between these categorizations are minimal and circle around the aspects of quality control and leeways about regulations surrounding production. However, patrons can still satiate their palette when purchasing these Viner från Spanien even though the prestige of the labels decreases.
Another method of categorization of wines of Spanish origin is based on the techniques employed for their aging. There exist three notable categorizations based on the employed techniques for their aging –
- Crianza –
These are used to represent nubile wine variations that have been aged within oak barrels and subsequently, within bottles over two consecutive years.
- Reserva –
These represent wine possessing more complexities as they require diverse aging. Firstly, they must age within barrels and then within either barrels or bottles over one year and then over two more years respectively.
- Gran Reserva –
They represent wines that have attained rich tastes owing to their maturity. They require aging over periods ranging from five to more than fifty years. The collectibility of wines aged over longer periods of time are notable and also present significantly profitable investment opportunities for individuals buying these Viner från Spanien.
Experimentation always yields results, be it positive or negative. In a similar fashion, Spanish winemakers have continually endeavored to sift through several production techniques and discover worthy alternatives for their wines.
Introducing contemporary technologies such as temperature control has made unprecedented advancements possible for winemakers, elevating the tastes of their wines.
The intricate glossary of redolences and piquancies offered by these wine categorizations combine to make a delicious palette for discerning patrons. The possibilities posed by these flavors are countless.
Combining red wines of Spanish origin with Tapas, which are traditional hearty foods, makes a casual atmosphere possible for all involved parties.
Individuals can also combine juvenile wines with dishes comprising pork and cheese.
For connoisseurs and discerning individuals possessing prized Gran Reserva collections, their culinary tastes can be scintillated by pairing the wines with dishes high in protein contents, such as wild game.
So, individuals looking to procure Viner från Spanien can look forward to intricate categorizations and endless tasteful possibilities.
