Spanish Wine Varieties You Should Know
Beyond Tempranillo and Albariño, Spain grows over 100 native grapes. Discover Mencía, Bobal, Godello, Treixadura and other Spanish varieties worth tasting.
In Spain, varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Macabeo (Viura in Rioja), Albariño and Verdejo get all the spotlight, but explore a little further, and you’ll discover that Spain has much more to offer.
In Fact, Spain boasts over 100 indigenous varieties and isn’t just about juicy, fruity reds or crisp, citrusy whites. Here’s a deeper dive into the Spanish grapes you need to get to know.
Mencía — The Quiet Genius of the Northwest
In Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra, where vineyards cling to steep slopes, Mencía thrives. Light on its feet but complex in thought, it’s one of Spain’s reds making waves with red berries, graphite, herbs, and a whisper of wildness.
Producing a plethora of styles from light easy drinkers to more serious wines like Ultreia Saint Jaques, Luna Beberide Finca la Cuesta or Veronica Ortega Quite
Bobal — The Rustic Heart of Eastern Spain
You won’t see Bobal on many wine lists outside Spain, but you should. Once considered a workhorse grape, it’s now the star of a quiet quality revolution. From Utiel Requena, it’s juicy, deeply coloured, and full of dark fruit and spice.
Think of it as Spain’s Zinfandel cousin — but far more interesting, try Sericis, Respeto, or Vicente Gandia’s Bobal Blanco made with red Bobal grapes!
Graciano — Rioja’s Best Supporting Actor (Now Stealing the Show)
Graciano is the grape Rioja winemakers blend to give their wines backbone, perfume, and longevity. But on its own, although difficult to grow, it’s spectacular: vibrant acidity, blue fruit, violets, and a long, brooding finish.
Imagine it as Petit Verdot — but rather fashionable with some wonderful examples like Vina Zorzal, Garcia Georgieva Finca Guijarrales, Marques de Grinon
Godello — Serious Quality
Godello isn’t trying to impress you — but it inevitably does. Found in Valdeorras and Monterrei, it’s structured, textural with stone fruits and citrus, sometimes with a herbal character.
It can be delicious, unoaked or unctuous, spicy and complex when aged in oak. Like the three following wines, Ultreia, Veronica Ortega La Llorona and Emilio Moro La Revelia
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Treixadura — Not just a wine for blending
In Ribeiro, next to the popular Rías Baixas, Treixadura can be found. Often a lead component in a blend, but on its own, it’s floral, herbal, rounded and quietly captivating.
If you think Spanish white wine is all citrus and zing, this will change your mind Dominio Do Bibei Lalume, Lulo, Terra do Castelo
Tempranillo Blanco — Yes, It Exists, and Yes, It’s Excellent
Discovered as a natural mutation only in 1988, Tempranillo Blanco is one of Rioja’s freshest surprises, especially with its greenish glint.
Crisp, aromatic, pear, white flowers, and lemon peel, sometimes with a little tropical pineapple. It’s the modern face of a very traditional region try La Mateo, Nivarius and Ilurce
Despite its long winemaking history and familiar regions and varieties, Spain is a country in which new regions and styles are being explored and many varieties well worth seeking out and you really should try.