Spanish Wine Regions
Since Spain has the most acreage devoted to wine, and since this acreage is spread out all over the country, it would be foolish to try to cover all the wine regions. Indeed, within its borders there are fifty regions to receive the prestigious title of "Dominacion de Origin." Only two, however, have attained the highest status Dominacion de Origin Calificada. So we will concentrate on those.
La Rioja, not to be confused with the town of Rioja, is located in the north of Spain. Rioja wine is a blend, and can be either red, white or rosé depending on the mix. The grapes used are generally Tempranillio (usually about 3/53 of the total blend), Garnacha Tinta (about 1/5), Graciano and Mazuelo. Riojas
Priorat is famous for its unique black slate soil, that gives its wines their distinctive flavor. Priorat's wines are based around the Garnacha Tinta and, to a lesser degree, Cariñena and Garnacha Peluda. There are a few white wines grown in this region, mostly Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and Pedro Ximénez.
It would be irresponsible to speak of Spanish wine without at least mentioning Sherry. Sherry comes from a Dominacion de Origin in the southwest of Spain located between Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. Sherry is Spain's premier fortified wine and can be either dry or sweet. Amontillado, of Poe's famous story, is a Sherry.