When you think of Spain, Rioja often steals the spotlight, as we've been highlighting this month. But there is much more to be found beyond Rioja’s rolling hills, from the vibrant Verdejos of Rueda to the sun-drenched Garnachas of Campo de Borja, read on for more…
Nestled in Castilla y León, Rueda is Spain’s white wine heartland. Here, the Verdejo grape thrives in gravelly soils and cool nights, producing wines that are zesty, herbaceous, and delightfully refreshing. If you ask for a glass of white in Spain, chances are you will be served a Verdejo. Think green apple, fennel, and a touch of almond—perfect for aperitivo hour or pairing with seafood tapas but with great potential for ageing to for a more complex drop.
Our friends at Ontañón recognise the potential of this region and its wines, crafting Verdejos that balance purity with texture. Try the classis Rippa Dorii Verdejo for a brilliant white of great value and of course quality.
Just south of Rueda, Ribera del Duero offers a bolder take on Tempranillo. High-altitude vineyards and dramatic temperature swings yield wines of deep colour, firm tannins, and age-worthy structure.
Ontañón’s presence here is equally compelling. Their Ribera wines channel the region’s intensity while preserving elegance, often with a nod to old-vine fruit and restrained oak. Try Rippa Dorii Salomon, aged in Spanish oak for a treat.
Back east, Campo de Borja is Garnacha country. Here, ancient bush vines cling to rocky soils, producing reds that are juicy, spicy, and sun-kissed. The wines are generous yet nuanced—ripe raspberry, cracked pepper, and a whisper of wild herbs. We have long since championed the wines of Borsao along with many highly regarded wine experts, try Tres Picos for a bold yet balanced indulgent red.
Juan Gil, further south, shares a passion for this style: bold, expressive, and unapologetically Mediterranean. Their mainly Monastrell wines emit warmth, richness and expression in a modern take on Spain’s rustic past.
To the northwest, Galicia feels almost apart from our idea of the rest of heat drenched Spain with its misty, windswept, rainy climate and luscious green land. Here Albariño reigns delivering saline whites with citrus zest and floral lift perfect for anything from the sea. Move over Sauvignon!
Spain’s wine story is rich and varied and this is just a small taster of Spain beyond Rioja. They all have one thing in common, passionate producers and wines that deliver their own identity by the glassful!
