Spanish wine - classification and how to choose
Although Spain is the world leader in terms of vineyard area, in terms of wine exports, this southern European country is somewhat behind France and Italy. This paradox is explained by the contrasting climate and insufficiently favorable terrain of the homeland of Cervantes and Lope de Vega. Accordingly, grapes growing under the scorching sun are not juicy enough (though they are used to make the best wines in Spain: sherry and malaga), and bunches blown by all the winds on the hills and plateaus often do not have time to fully ripen...
The above circumstances have influenced the formation of a unique classification system for Spanish wines, which, on the one hand, is characterized by strict criteria, and on the other hand, has a high degree of democracy. Simply put, it is based on the well-known principle: "big ship - big voyage".
Classification of Spanish wines
According to Spanish law, the wines of this country, based on their quality, are divided into three main categories:
Vino de mesa (home or table wine)
The category has almost no restrictions. The only requirement in this case is the absence of various harmful chemicals in the drinks, which are prohibited for spraying and fertilizing vineyards. However, the main charm of this category is that, in addition to dubious and faceless drinks, it also includes wines that claim to be elite, but do not meet one or another criterion, which is often purely formal in nature. Thus, under the guise of a "purebred" wine on your table, you may well find a caballero in exile, capable of decorating even the most refined meal.
Vino de la tierra (local wine)
Local wines must be produced in a specific wine region (there are 41 of them in Spain, including island wines) and from a specific grape variety, preferably from the same harvest. At the same time, the indication of all the above criteria on the bottle label is considered not so much a requirement as a privilege that representatives of the vino de mesa category are deprived of.
Denominacion de origеn (regional standard)
Beverages of a regional standard must not only meet chronological, varietal and geographical parameters, but also meet all local requirements regarding their production, processing and method of sale.
Denominacion de origеn calificada (certified regional standard)
This region is the famous Rioja, whose winemaking criteria are the top of the generally recognized regional standards.
In addition, local and regional wines have a special gradation in terms of aging in special oak barrels.
Joven (young)
Sold in the year of harvest or the following year. Aging in oak is not required.
Crianza (formed)
The aging period is from two to three years; at the same time, from six months to a year the wine is in oak barrels, and then it is bottled.
Reserva (aged)
The drink is at least three years old with at least one year in an oak barrel.
Gran reserva (well aged)
A wine that has five years of aging, 2-3 years of which it spends in oak barrels.
At the same time, as you probably guessed, the longest aging periods for each of the categories are set and adhered to by Rioja.
How to choose a Spanish wine
Choosing a good wine of Spanish origin is both easy and difficult. It all depends on where you are. If the desire to join the drinks of this country has overtaken you in the post-Soviet space, go to the nearest trustworthy supermarket and head straight for the shelves with bottles from sunny Rioja. There you will find stable and high-quality wines for every taste: red, white, sparkling, rosé, etc.д. Everything else is either from the evil one or not worth the money that is asked for it.
If you are in Europe, and even more so in Spain itself, you can explore the products of the wine provinces in addition to the shelves with drinks from Rioja for an initial acquaintance with the wines of the latter: Priorat and Ribera del Duero. As a result, you will form your own set of preferences and expectations related to Spanish wines. After completing this kind of training, which may take more than one month, you can safely proceed to further acquaintance with the multifaceted wine palette for which the Iberian monarchy is famous.
Update: 12.01.2017
Category: Wine and Vermouth