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Spectacular Spanish red wines to try now
With a rich winemaking history dating back to ancient times, it’s no surprise that Spain produces some of the world’s boldest and most expressive red wines. Although the wines are of premium quality, they’re also great value.
Every wine lover needs a Spanish red in their collection. Whether you prefer complex Garnacha blends or generously fruity Tempranillo, read on to find out what to add to your must-try list.
Spanish red wines to enjoy
Spain is home to some of the world’s most exciting reds. Everyone has heard of Tempranillo and its role in the famous Rioja red blends, but here are some other key Spanish red wine types and varieties worth knowing.
Bobal
Bobal is a native Spanish grape that grows primarily in the Utiel-Requena region in the Spanish province of Valencia. It is second only to Tempranillo as Spain’s most widely grown red grape. As a Spanish red wine variety, Bobal wines are typically full-bodied, rich in colour with high tannin levels. They offer a delightful mix of dark berry fruits and ripe plum flavours with hints of pepper or spices.
While it’s a great budget-friendly Spanish red, top-rated Bobal wines can age for years (if you have the patience to wait before cracking open your bottle).
Food pairing – Pair Bobal with robust and flavourful chorizo or chicken paella. The wine also shines with rich duck and beef dishes, as its vibrant acidity provides a refreshing counterpoint.
Garnacha
A native Spanish variety, this black-skinned grape is known for its ability to withstand heat and wind, making it suited to a variety of climates. It’s a late-ripening grape, often resulting in high sugar content and, therefore, higher alcohol levels in the finished wine.
This variety is known as Grenache in other parts of the winemaking world.
Garnacha often produces bold, fruit-forward wines with red fruit flavours like strawberry and raspberry, usually complemented by spicy or peppery notes. The wines can range from medium to full-bodied, and while tannins are generally moderate, older vines can produce wines with more tannic structure.
Garnacha wines from Spain’s Priorat region deserve attention for their exceptional quality, liquorice notes and distinct mineral character. This results from the region’s llicorella soils, which reflect and conserve heat.
In South Australia, the Barossa Valley has some of the world’s oldest Grenache/Garnacha vines, thanks to its isolation during the phylloxera epidemic that affected much of the world’s vineyards in the late 1800s. The hot, dry climate and diverse soils here allow the grapes to ripen fully, producing robust, full-bodied wines with pronounced fruit flavours.
McLaren Vale also has old vine Grenache/Garnacha, which produces concentrated and complex wines.
Food pairing – Fuller-bodied styles of Garnacha suit heavier, rich dishes such as steak, barbequed-glazed chicken and hard cheeses like Manchego and Petit Basque. The wine also complements meaty pink fish such as grilled trout or salmon. Lighter styles work wonderfully with white grilled fish.
La Cueva Garnacha 2022 is a barrel-aged red brimming with bright cranberry, raspberry and red plum notes, plus a subtle black pepper warmth.
Garnacha blends
Spain has become famous for its complex and premium Garnacha-based blends. Typically blended with Cariñena, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha adds a soft fruitiness and longevity when combined with other grape varieties.
Food pairing – Garnacha’s rich fruit, spice and earthy notes complement the flavours of grilled vegetables and traditional paella. The implied sweetness from the hints of strawberry also tempers the heat in spicy curries and noodle dishes.
Mellow, complex and perfectly balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Ermita de San Lorenza Gran Selección 2018 is a treat from Campo de Borja.
Monastrell
Monastrell creates bold, tannic wines brimming with dark plum, blackberry, black pepper and spice flavours. It’s a staple in the famous GSM blends from France (along with Grenache/Garnacha and Syrah/Shiraz), which has been adopted in Australia. In other parts of the world, the grape variety is called Mourvèdre or Mataro. Monastrell is believed to be native to Spain and is mainly grown in the Jumilla, Valencia and Alicante regions. Older Monastrell wines are more complex and develop richer savoury hints than younger styles.
Food pairing – Thanks to its robust, full-bodied nature, Monastrell is ideal for pairing with rich dishes like roast pork, game, cured meats and smoked cheeses like Gouda and Manchego. The wine’s fruitiness contrasts with grilled vegetables’ smoky, earthy flavours.
Try Camino de Seda 2022, an award-winning Monastrell from Jumilla brimming with sweet mocha, blackberry and vanilla aromas.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo, Spain’s flagship grape, forms the backbone of some of the country’s best-loved red wines. This famous grape variety thrives in regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro. The region’s higher altitudes allow the grapes to retain their acidity and colour while the sunshine helps them ripen and develop their sweet flavours.
These wines are celebrated for their generous ripe red cherry, strawberry and red plum notes. As they age, they develop savoury aromas of leather, tobacco and cedar.
Food pairing – A food-friendly wine, Tempranillo is fabulous when paired with small tapas plates featuring jamon and chorizo as well as tomato-based sauces. Its bright acidity cuts through the richness of these dishes. Smoked beef and tagines also benefit from the wine’s red fruit flavours.
Dinastía Manzanos Reserva 2015 is a bright, fruity and versatile red with complex layers of flavours, including notes of berries and vanilla.
3 Spanish red wine regions to know
Spain’s booming wine industry has 138 official wine regions. Here are three you should know:
Rioja
One of the most famous wine regions in the Iberian Peninsula, Rioja is tucked away in the north of Spain, close to the French border. While Tempranillo is the star player here, the region also grows Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano vines, which all flourish in the moderate maritime climate.
Rioja is one of only two regions in Spain to have the prestigious Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) status, a testament to the consistently high-quality wines produced here. Rioja wines are classified into four categories: Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Each category denotes how long the wine has been aged, both in oak barrels and in the bottle.
American oak is the preferred choice for ageing in Rioja wineries. It adds a characteristic sweetness to the wine and distinct dill, vanilla and coconut notes.
Priorat
If you enjoy a glass or two of Garnacha, Priorat is the place for you. Tucked away in the heart of Catalonia, Priorat is a relatively small wine region, but it holds the title of Spain’s second DOC region and has around 100 wineries. Famous for producing rich, deep reds, the region’s historic vineyards grow mainly Garnacha and Cariñena, the region’s secondary grape.
Wines from Priorat are known for their fresh, vibrant character and velvety texture. They also have excellent ageing potential. Garnacha is often blended with Cariñena to create intensely coloured and richly flavoured wines. While Priorat wines may come with a higher price tag compared to other regions, they add an extra touch of luxury.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is renowned for producing excellent, dry red wines using Tempranillo grapes, known locally as Tinto Fino. This region is in Castilla y León, just west of Rioja.
Unlike Priorat winemakers, who blend predominantly native Spanish grapes, winemakers from Ribera del Duero often incorporate French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec into their Tempranillo blends to add depth and complexity.
Ribera del Duero and neighbouring Rioja are often compared, but oak ageing is a key difference between the two regions. Here, French oak is favoured over American oak. However, the region adheres to a similar tiered ageing system, which ensures consistency in quality and style.
Explore our full range of Spanish red wine.
