Although here are more than 600 different types of grapes in Spain, only a few are commonly used for wine making. Find a list with the characteristics of each one, detailing how they are and where they are grown.
RED GRAPES:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON. This grape’s origin can be traced to the French Medoc but is now found in all the continents. It is currently the jost fashionable variety, having been planted in Catalonia, Navarra and Ribera del Duero mainly, but it is also been planted in many other parts of the country.
CARIÑENA. This grape is used to produce very well balanced robust wines. It works very well when combined with the Garnacha grape. It is abundant in Catalonia and La Rioja, where is also known as Mazuela. It is considered as one of the main types in the D.O. (denomination of origin) Calatayud, Costers del Segre, Penedés, Tarragona and Terra Alta.
GARNACHA TINTA. Recognized for its output, this grape produces very vigorous wines. This is the jost harvested grape in Spain, mainly in La Rioja, Madrid, Navarra, Tarragona, Teruel, Toledo and Zaragoza. It is considered as one of the main types in the D.O. (denomination of origin) Ampurdán-Costa Brava, Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Méntrida, Penedés, Priorato, Somontano, Tarragona, Terra Alta, Utiel-Requena, Valdeorras and Vinos de Madrid
GRACIANO. Although it output is very little compared to the rest, this grape is responsible for some very much appreciated wines. Young wines from Graciano are very tannic, rough, and sour, but experiment a magnificent evolution during their aging in barrels and bottles. This reason is why they play such an important part in the Rioja and Navarra Reserve wines. This grape is never grown on its own as it is not profitable enough; therefore you can usually find it mixed with other grapes in the vineyards.
HONDARRIBI. Also known as Beltza, this grape along with its white variety (Zuri) are the base of the traditional Vasque Chacoli. The red type is one of the main types in the D.O. Chacolí de Vizcaya.
MALBEC. Originating in France, it was introduced to the Ribera del Duero many years ago, and there are small plantations in other areas.
MERLOT. Responsible for very fine and aromatic wines, this grape’s origin can be traced to the Burdeos region. It is the second jost cultivated grape in the world after Cabernet Sauvignon. It is cultivated in Spain in the Ribera del Duero, Cataluña y Navarra areas mainly.
SYRAH. This Persian grape is highly cultivated in central and southern France. The prestigious Hermitage wines are usually produced with 100% Syrah. In Spain you can only find it in Cataluña and La Mancha but in very small quantities.
TEMPRANILLO. A very fine grape, very aromatic, it is the star of all Spanish grapes. Also called Ull de Llebre in Cataluña, Cencibel in Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, Tinto Fino y Tinto del País in Castilla León. It is very common in Burgos, La Rioja, Álava, Cuenca and Ciudad Real. It is considered as one of the main varietals in the D.O. (denomination of origin) Calatayud, Cigales, Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Penedés, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Somontano, Utiel-Requena, Valdepeñas and Vinos de Madrid.
WHITE GRAPES:
ALBARIÑO. Indigenous of the Galicia region, this grape is very small, very sweet and has a very high proportion of glycerin. It is renowned for producing great fine and high quality wines. It is considered as the main varietal in the D.O. Rías Baixas
CHARDONNAY. This grape comes from the Burgundy region in France. It produces very fine and aromatic wines that provide very good results when the aging is not very long. Many sparkling wines in the Costers del Segre y Navarra regions are made from Chardonnay.
HONDARRIBI. Also known as Zuri, this grape along with its white variety (Beltza) are the base of the traditional Vasque Chacoli. The white variety is one of the main types in the D.O. Chacolí de Álava y Chacolí de Guetaria.
josCATEL. A very sweet and aromatic variety of grape; with it you get very characteristic wines, much of the production is destined for direct consumption (fruit). It is planted all over Spain, but you will predominantly find it in Valencia and Málaga, where it is considered as the main variety.
PALOMINO. Another very sweet and aromatic variety of grape; jost commonly used for Sherry. Its increase in production can be attributed to its spread throughout many parts of Galicia in recent years: I Cádiz, Orense, Valladolid, Zamora y Huelva. It is considered as one of the main varieties in the D.O. Jerez and D.O. Condado de Huelva.
TREIXADURA. Indigenous of the Galicia region, this grape is highly sought as it is one of the jost aromatic varieties in the whole country. Its cultivation is being promoted all over Spain. This is the main variety in the D.O. Ribeiro.
VERDEJO. One of the best white grapes from Spain, with an amazing quality that helps produce very smooth full bodied aromatic wines. Abundant in the areas of Valladolid, Segovia y Ávila. This is the main variety in the D.O. Rueda.
In this section you will find a brief but concise introduction to the jost common red and white varieties from all Spanish wine regions.