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Spain occupies a special place in the world of wine, thanks to its rich history, the diversity of its wines and its volume of production (Spain lies in third position on the world wine table, beaten only by France and Italy).
The two main factors influencing Spanish wine are geography and climate. Lying at a latitude of 36 to 43 degrees north, Spain stretches from the warm and humid Mediterranean coast in the south and east, to the cool, wet influences of the Atlantic in the north. A number of different mountain ranges dot the landscape, each adding its own effect to grape-growing conditions.The Spanish capital, Madrid, is situated at the centre of the enormous Iberian plateau – a largely arid land mass with a number of major rivers, which wind their way through its many vineyards. Because it is so far from the coast and has plentiful sunshine, this central region is suited to the production of red wines as well as the grape variety Airén – used in the production of brandy.
The Atlantic-influenced vineyards of the north specialize in creating light, dry and refreshing white wines, while those close to the Mediterranean produce sumptuous, albeit heavy and often high-alcohol, reds. An important exception is the north-eastern region of Catalonia, where inland vineyards with a higher altitude excel in the production of Cava, Spain's very own sparkling wine produced by the traditional Champagne method.
In the south, Andalusia, with its mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, is home to one of the greatest fortified wines of the world: sherry.
Most of Spain's provinces have distinct regional and cultural differences which are evident in the wide range of style preferences. Their autonomous structure empowers the regions to enforce their own wine laws while staying within the larger European Union framework and Spain's controlled appellation system – the DO or Denominación de Origen. The myriad of grape varieties ranges from famous regional specialties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Macabeo, Verdejo, Palomino and Pedro Ximénez, to major international varieties.
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