wINES OF SPAIN
Wines of Spain
In addition to bullfighting and its numerous number of pristine beaches, one of the things that Spain is best known for is its wine. From Alicante (where some of the best solid reds are produced) to Ribeiro (where you will find top of the lines whites), there are forty different regions throughout the country of Spain. Even if you don't generally consider yourself a wine connoisseur, because there are so many different types of great wine in Spain, when you take a trip there, you will want to make the most of your time and enjoy as many of the different great wines as possible. Not only will you enjoy trying all of the different wines available in Spain, but spending time at different Spanish wineries (which are called bodegas) and learning about the special techniques that are used to make different kinds of wine can be a very informative and entertaining experience.
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Because there is such a wide variety of wine regions in Spain, there is quite the diversity in the types of wine that are produced throughout the country. In addition the wines that you are familiar with, such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, Spain is home to some types of wine that you have probably never heard of. In fact, there are three wine regions in Spain that are literally one of a kind. Other than Spain, the wine produced in these regions cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
The first completely unique type of wine that can only be found in Spain is Rioja. Rioja wines are made from the Tempranillo grape, and the production of these wines involves the traditional technique of aging them in oak.
The next unique wine region in Spain is Penedes. Located to the north of Barcelona, this region produces a variety of unique treats, including sparkling wines, fruity whites and top notch reds. Although the reds produced in this region are also produced from oak casks, they do not spend as much time in the casks as Rioja wines do. Of all the wines produced in this region, the most popular would have to be the sparkling wines. Known as cavas, these delicious sparkling wines are produced in one of three ways. The first method is bottle-fermented (which is also referred to as the transfer method), and involves having the wine undergo two stages of fermentation (which creates natural bubbles) and then transferring it to a new bottle. The second method is granvas, which uses large pressurized vats to ferment the wine. The wines produced through this method have larger bubbles. The last method is the cava, which is the same as the bottle-fermented, except the last step is e
xcluded from the cava method.
The last unique wine region in Spain is Jerez. Using the Palomino grape, this region produces amazingly good sherries. The production of sherries in Jerez begins in stoppered casks, and involves several special ingredients and transfers to different aging locations.
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In recent times the Spanish wine industry has really come onto the world scene with a whole new range of wine styles which have adapted to market demands and an enormous improvement in quality.
Spain Wine Tours
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10 High end wines from Spain
An impressive set of wines, with a few real stars here. I'd single out the CVNE Riojas as representing very good value for money when you consider that they are now mature wines drinking at or near their peak. Prices are La Vigneronne 's, who put on the tasting.
Spanish Tasting
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Spanish Wine & Gastronomy
In this new section designed especially for In Spain,G Cellar Tours are delighted to highlight a variety of wine regions (emerging and traditional), winery profiles, gastronomic specialties, and wine festivals and events.
http://www.in-spain.info/
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