Spanish Wine. Food and Wine Tours Spain

The Spanish wine is a world spread phenomenon – ancient, enigmatic, full of life and sun. Here we offer some historical hints into the beginnings of Spanish wine. It is known from the antiquity. Those lands of the Roman Empire, which are modern Spanish wine regions – Cadiz, Tarragona y Málaga, were inhabited by Iberians, Greeks and Phoenicians. The lands considered to be the centre of viniculture, having a long wine experience. There exist a lot of excavations – marked figuline, which were used for wine sale and conservation. The tradition of wine-making was practically destroyed with the Moor invasion (VII – XIV, XV centuries). Wonderful vineyards, where best Spanish wines had been being produced for centuries, were nearly eliminated.

The Spanish Kings – los Reyes Católicos: Ferdinando e Isabel (XIV – XV centuries, Reconquista), were those glorious historic personalities, who restored the united Spain. They revived the noble tradition of making the best Spanish wines, as well. One of the most important historical events in the development of viniculture in Spain is the conclusion (XVIII century) of various treaties between the Spaniards and the English. From this century the best Spanish wine, for example Jeréz, started not only to be sold, but also produced. It is said, that the English have made Jeréz (Sherry – in English, not to be mixed with Cherry) famous and popular all over the world.

Best Spanish Wines

Nowadays, Spain possesses the most ample vine plantations in the planet – 6 million acres, and produces four billion litters of vine wine, yearly. This impressing production of the best Spanish wines is realized thanks to enormously vast territories, which are situated in different climatic zones. Such a diversity of climate provides a great variety of Spanish wine taste shades.

The Spanish wine tasting is a unique procedure, due to the innumerable breeds of grapes, which grow in such fertile lands. Lands created for wine-making, warmed with the hot Spanish sun and fanned with the fresh, sweet-scented Spanish breeze. Wine tasting in Spain demonstrates the best Spanish wine: the low-alcohol red and white Rioja, the fortified Jeréz from Andalucía and the sparkling Cava (Barcelona).

Best Red Spanish Wine and White Wine

The red dry wines are said to be leaders of popularity.  The input material for red wines is the breed Tempranillo. The Spanish wine regions are Rioja and Ribera-del-Duero. The best Spanish red wines are 200 Monges Gran Reserva, Marquéz de Murietta Reserva y Bilbainas la Vicalanda Reserva.

As to the best Spanish white wine, the most popular ones are Gramona Gessami, Jean Leon Chardonnay Barrica and  Jean Leon Petit Chardonnay, produced in Catalonia.

In the south of Spain, the famous Jeréz is produced. One of the secrets of this unique wine is the use of grapes, dried on its’ vine. The classification of types of Jeréz includes: “Fino” (dry), “Oloroso” (oily, nut-brown), “Amontillado” (dark amber-coloured), “Crema” (sweet), “Palo Cortado” (brown) wine of the highest quality. Rose and best Spanish white wines, such as sparkling Cava, world famous Sangria…

And what not…  But…, why to read, it is better to participate in wine tours of Spain.

Food and Wine Tours Spain

The food and wine tours Spain are organized all over the country. This type of tourism is called enotourism, oenotourism, wine tourism or vinitourism. The main purpose of it is wine tasting in Spain.

One of the most curious and interesting things of such tours is “wine and food marriage”. It is known, that not all types of wines and food combine with each other. The Spaniards chefs, being connoisseurs of wines, as well as cuisine, will organize a harmonious “wine and food marriage” for your meal. Independently of wine or food you order in any restaurant, they will nicely combine red wines with meat dishes and piquant sauce. As to seafood salads or deserts, they will suggest a combination with white wines. And so on and so forth… But the proof of the pudding is in its’ eating. One couldn’t say it better. Welcome to Spain!

Please, find more information about enotourism, here.