Spain
Vinos de España - Wines from Spain (Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior)
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Spain is the third largest wine producing nation in the world, occupying the majority of the Iberian Peninsula with vast diversity in climate, culture, and of course, wine. From inky, dark reds of the [Priorat] to dry, white Finos from Andalusia, Spain can easily boast of elaborating a wide variety of notable styles. Within Spain there are currently 62 demarcated wine regions, of which a handful have gained international recognition: [Rioja], Priorat and [Ribera del Duero]. Yet these regions are only a small sample of the high quality wines Spain produces. Regions such as Cava, Penedes, Somontano, Galicia, Rueda and Jerez are only a few of the numerous regions worthy of exploration throughout Spain. Spain can also lay claim to having the most land under vine in the world, growing up to, by some accounts, 600 indigenous varietals of which Tempranillo is their most well known. Other popular varietals include [Garnacha], Bobal and Monastrell for reds and for whites; the infamous Palomino Fino grape which is used in the production of sherry wine, Pedro Ximenez in Montilla Morilles, Albarino used in the creation of the bright, effervescent wines of Galicia, and Verdejo in Rueda. - //Source//: - Catavino.net
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Spain is world famous for its dessert wines, particularly its sweet wines from Sherry country including the highly revered Olorosos and Amontillados. Apart from Sherry, though, Spain offers a huge diversity in styles of dessert wines, ranging from the golden elixir wines made from the Pedro Ximenez grape in Andalusia (Cordoba, Malaga and Jerez) to luscious, red dessert wines made in the Mediterranean from the Garnacha (Grenache) grape. Excellent Moscatels (deliciously “grapey”) are made in Mallorca, Alicante and Navarre. The northwest corner of Spain, Galicia, with its bitter Atlantic climate, is even making dessert wines, called “Tostadillos” in the village of Ribadivia (similar to Francee’s “Vin de Paile”). The Canary Islands are making interesting dessert wines now, as it seems that the demand for sweeties has increased in recent years. The winemaking styles for “Vinos Dulces” are also diverse, from “Late Harvest” (Vendimia Tardía) to “Fortified Wines” (Fermentación Parcial). Source in-spain.info.