Spain

Spain remains one of Europe’s most dynamic fine wine countries, with regions such as Rioja, Priorat and Rías Baixas leading the way. Rioja, traditionally based on Tempranillo, is known for its balance of ripe red fruit, spice and oak, though a new generation of producers is shifting towards fresher, more site-driven styles with less overt oak influence. In Priorat, steep slate (llicorella) soils and old vines of Garnacha and Cariñena produce powerful yet increasingly refined wines with depth and minerality. Along the Atlantic coast, Rías Baixas is the home of Albariño, offering fresh, aromatic whites with citrus, stone fruit and saline notes. Across Spain, a clear shift toward elegance, lower extraction and greater expression of terroir is redefining the country’s fine wine landscape.