Spain Intro Flashcards
Catalonia
Located in northeastern Spain, home to Cava (sparkling wine), Priorat (high-quality reds), and Penedès (diverse wines including Xarel·lo and Tempranillo).
Galicia
Northwestern coastal region known for fresh Albariño (Rías Baixas), Godello (Valdeorras), and mineral-driven Mencía (Bierzo).
Castilla y León
Central-northern Spain, home to Ribera del Duero (bold Tempranillo wines), Toro (powerful reds), and Rueda (crisp Verdejo whites).
Castilla-La Mancha
Spain’s largest wine-producing region, known for bulk wine production, but also high-quality Tempranillo (La Mancha, Valdepeñas).
Madrid
A small but rising wine region with Garnacha-based reds and crisp Albillo whites, producing high-altitude, fresh wines.
Andalusia
Located in the south, famous for Sherry wines (Jerez-Xérès-Sherry) and Pedro Ximénez sweet wines (Montilla-Moriles).
Rioja
Spain’s most famous wine region, divided into Rioja Alta (elegant wines), Rioja Alavesa (fresh, mineral wines), and Rioja Oriental (riper, fruitier wines).
Navarra
Historically famous for rosé wines, but now producing high-quality reds and whites, often blending Tempranillo and international varieties.
Aragón
Home to rich Garnacha wines (Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Calatayud), often fruit-forward and spicy.
Extremadura
A lesser-known region making bold reds from Tempranillo and international varieties, with some Cava production in Ribera del Guadiana.
Murcia
Southeastern region known for Monastrell (Mourvèdre)-based reds, particularly in Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas.
Balearic Islands
Produces Mediterranean-style wines from native grapes like Manto Negro and international varieties.
Canary Islands
Volcanic soils create unique, saline and mineral-driven wines from Listán Negro and Malvasía.
Rioja
Spain’s most famous wine region, known for its age-worthy Tempranillo-based reds. It has three subzones: Rioja Alta (elegant and structured), Rioja Alavesa (fresh and aromatic), and Rioja Oriental (riper, fruitier wines).
Ribera del Duero
A powerhouse red wine region known for bold, structured Tempranillo wines with deep color, tannins, and aging potential.
Priorat
One of Spain’s two DOCa (top-tier) regions, producing intense, mineral-driven reds from Garnacha and Cariñena in steep slate vineyards.
Toro
A high-altitude region making powerful, deeply structured Tempranillo (Tinta de Toro) wines with high alcohol and dark fruit.
Rueda
The top Spanish region for Verdejo, known for crisp, citrusy white wines with great acidity and minerality.
Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Home of Sherry, producing fortified wines from Palomino Fino, including Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, and Oloroso styles.
Montilla-Moriles DOP
Produces Pedro Ximénez (PX) sweet wines, similar to Sherry but without fortification.
Cava DOP
Spain’s traditional-method sparkling wine, made primarily from Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada.
