White. This is Spain's most widely planted grape variety. The bunches are large and tightly-packed. It produces wines with a characteristic bouquet and alcohol content between 12% vol. and 14% vol. It can be found, among other regions, in Ciudad Real (51% of planting), Toledo, Cuenca, Albacete, Murcia and Madrid. It is the main variety in Vinos de Madrid DO.
Alarije
White. Found in a large number of wine-growing areas in Extremadura. One of the most common varieties in the area around Cañamero.
Albarello
White. This grape is found in small quantities in Ribera del Ulla. However, it produces very aromatic, personal wines. It is quite different from Albariño, despite the similarity in their names.
Albariño
White. Native to Galicia, with small, very sweet glyceric berries which produce high quality wines. It is the basic grape of Rías Baixas DO. There has been a dramatic increase in the area planted with this grape over the last few years.
Albillo
White. This is a relatively neutral grape with an interesting glycerol level that brings smoothness to the wines in which it is used. It is mainly found in Madrid, Ávila and also in Galicia. It is an authorised Ribeiro DO variety, and a major variety in Vinos de Madrid DO.
Alcañón
White. Native to the Somontano growing area in Aragón. It produces light white wines with a distinctive bouquet.
A red grape which can give wines very rich colouring. Although its quality is debated, it yields good rosé wines. Found mainly in Valencia, Cuenca and Albacete.
Borba
White. Widely found in the wine-growing areas of Extremadura. It is quite prolific, but does not offer high quality.
Brancellao
Red. Native to Galicia. It is one of the Rías Baixas DO's authorised varieties, although it is very rare and in danger of extinction. It can produce good quality wine.
Cabernet Franc
Red. Originated in Bordeaux, like Cabernet Sauvignon, but yields softer wines. This variety is thought to be related to Mencía, which is plentiful in some areas of Galicia and Castile.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red. Originally from the French Médoc, it is now found on every continent. In Spain, it is planted principally in Catalonia, Navarre and Ribera del Duero, although it is being tried out in many other regions of Spain as well.
Caíño
White or red. Another rare Galician variety. The red grape is a main variety in Ribeiro DO, and an authorised variety in Rías Baixas DO. The white grape is authorised in Rías Baixas.
Calagraño
White. One of the Rioja's old native varieties, this grape yielded white wines which, although hard and coarse, responded well to ageing. Today it is considered extinct by the DOCa Rioja Regulatory Council, but apparently some stock can still be found in the vicinity of San Asensio and certain other parts of La Rioja.
Cariñena
Red. Produces robust, balanced wines. An excellent complement to Garnacha, it is widely planted in Catalonia and La Rioja, where it is known as "Mazuela". It is also considered a main variety in Calatayud, Costers del Segre, Penedés, Tarragona and Terra Alta DOs.
Cayetana
White. High yield grape. Found in Badajoz (99%) and Cáceres.
Cencibel
The name given to Tempranillo in certain regions in the centre and south of Spain. See Tempranillo.
Chardonnay
White. Very fine, high quality grape which makes aromatic wines that give good results without long ageing. Originally from Burgundy, it is covered by the regulations on sparkling wines, and by those of Costers del Segre and Navarra DOs.
Espadeiro
Red. Native to Galicia, but like many other quality Galician varieties, it is very scarce. Authorised in Rías Baixas DO.
Esquitxagos
White. Plentiful in the Bajo Ebro region (Tarragona) and in San Mateo (Castellón). It may be the Merseguera variety, as it has adapted to these regions.
Ferrón
Red. Authorised in Ribeiro DO. Very scarce.
Fogoneu
Red. Found on the island of Majorca where it is the main grape in the Felanitx area. It has certain similarities to the French Gamay grape, the basic variety in Beaujolais wines.
Forastera
White. A common variety in certain areas of the Canary Islands, especially on the island of Gomera.
Forcayat
Red. A grape with high yields, producing wines with a very specific aroma, but rather unstable colours. Authorised in Valencia DO.
White Garnacha. Produces full-bodied wines with a high alcohol content. Very abundant throughout Spain, especially in Tarragona, Zaragoza and Teruel. It is classified as a main variety in Alella, Costers del Segre, Tarragona and Terra Alta DOs.
Garnacha Tinta
Red Garnacha. A high-yielding grape that produces vigorous wines. This is the most widely grown red grape in Spain, especially in La Rioja, Madrid, Navarre, Tarragona, Teruel, Toledo and Zaragoza. It is considered a main variety in the following DOs: Ampurdán-Costa Brava, Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Méntrida, Penedés, Priorato, Somontano, Tarragona, Terra Alta, Utiel-Requena, Valdeorras and Vinos de Madrid.
Garnacha Tintorera
Red. This grape, also known as Alicante, is so-called because it is the only variety, along with Alicante Bouché, which has coloured flesh (tintorera comes from the verb teñir = to dye). It is widely planted in Albacete, Alicante, Orense and Pontevedra, and it is considered a main variety in Almansa DO.
Godello
White. A high quality, very aromatic grape. Native to Galicia, new planting has been encouraged in the last few years, especially in Valdeorras DO. It is considered a main variety in Valdeorras and Bierzo DOs.
Graciano
Red grape with a low yield, which produces highly prized wines. Young Graciano wines are very tannic, rough and tart, but develop superbly during ageing, both in cask and bottle. For this reason, these grapes are present in Gran Reservas from La Rioja and Navarre. The Graciano grape is not very abundant due to its low yields and can often be found mixed with other grapes in the same vineyard.
Hondarribi
White (zuri, in Basque) and red (beltza). These are the basic varieties in traditional Basque chacolí. The white version is more common in Chacolí de Guetaria DO, whereas the red is plentiful in Chacolí de Vizcaya DO.
Red. High-yield grape. Found in Badajoz, some parts of the Canary Islands, Granada, Madrid and Toledo.
Juan García
Red. Native to the Fermoselle area in Zamora, where it is the main grape grown. It can produce interesting young wines with medium alcohol content (12% vol.).
Juan Ibáñez
Red. Found in Cariñena DO. It is not very common, and is usually grown alongside other varieties in the same vineyard.
Lado
White. Found in Ribeiro DO, although there is no provision for it in the regulations. It makes for light wines with substantial acidity, but with considerable aromatic strength and quality.
Lairén
White. Authorised in Montilla-Moriles DO and closely related to Airén.
Listán
White. Also known as the Palomino fino (sherry) grape in Jerez and the Canary Islands.
Listán Negro
Red. Variety found in some parts of Northern Tenerife and on other islands in the Canaries. It makes interesting young red wines.
Loureira
White high quality Galician grape that creates very aromatic wines. Authorised in Rías Baixas and Ribeiro DOs. There is also a red Loureira, but it is very rare.
White. Also called Viura. This is the basic cava variety. Mainly found in Badajoz, La Rioja, Tarragona and Zaragoza, this is considered a main variety in Calatayud, Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, Navarra, Penedés, Rioja, Somontano, Tarragona and Terra Alta DOs.
Malbec
Red. Of French origin, this grape was introduced many years ago into Ribera del Duero. Today there are small amounts in other areas.
Malvar
White. Abundant in Madrid (73%), Guadalajara, and Toledo. It is considered a main variety in Vinos de Madrid DO.
Malvasía
White. Originally from Greece, this grape produces very aromatic and distinctive wines. It is mainly found in Valencia, Zamora and the Canary Islands, and is classified as a main variety in Calatayud DO. There also is a variety known as Malvasía Riojana, widely used in Rioja white wines. In Catalonia, it is known as Subirat Parent.
Red. A variety native to the Balearic Islands. This is the main grape in Binissalem DO. It produces light, very well balanced wines, with good results after short ageing in cask and bottle.
Red. According to recent studies, this grape is very similar to Cabernet Franc. It produces high quality wines and is most widely planted in León (68%), Zamora, Lugo and Orense provinces. It is considered a main variety in Valdeorras and Bierzo DOs.
Merenzao
Red. Authorised in Valdeorras DO, although, like most Galician varieties, it is quite scarce.
Merlot
A red grape which is the basis for many fine, highly aromatic wines. It comes from the Bordeaux region. After Cabernet Sauvignon, it is the most widespread grape variety in the world. In Spain, it is grown mainly in Ribera del Duero DO and the regions of Catalonia and Navarre.
Merseguera
White grape. Has a distinct personality. Most widely planted in Valencia (69%), Tarragona and Alicante. Considered a main variety in Valencia DO.
Moll
White. Also called Prensal. Used in many of the white Majorcan wines. Mostly found in Binissalem, it produces light, balanced white wines.
Monastrell
A red, very sweet and productive grape. It produces wines with a deep colour and considerable alcoholic content. It is mainly found in Murcia (52%), Alicante, Albacete and Valencia and it is considered a main variety in DOs such as Alicante, Almansa, Costers del Segre, Jumilla, Penedés, Valencia and Yecla.
Morisca
Red. Very widely grown, although almost always in small quantities. It has a certain significance in the "Comarca Vitivinícola" of Cañamero. It is frequently grown as a dessert grape.
Moristel
Red. Plentiful in Huesca and Zaragoza. Considered a main variety in Somontano DO.
Moscatel
White, superbly aromatic grape with a high sugar content. It produces very characteristic wines and is also frequently consumed directly as a dessert grape. Widely grown across the whole of Spain, it is particularly frequent in Valencia and Málaga. It is also considered a main variety in Málaga and Valencia DOs.
Moza Fresca
White. Also called Valenciana and Doña Blanca. Some people believe this to be the Merseguera variety transplanted to the Valdeorras area of Galicia, where it is most widely planted.
Negra de Madrid
Red. quite productive and hardy. Plentiful in Madrid, Zamora and Toledo provinces.
Negramoll
Red. Characteristic of certain areas in the Canary Islands, especially Tacoronte-Acentejo DO, where it is the main variety. It produces light, soft, aromatic wines of very good quality when young.
Palomino
White. A basic grape in Jerez wines, called Jerez outside this growing area. Its high yields led to extensive planting in many Spanish regions, especially Galicia. It flourishes in Cádiz (68%), Orense, Valladolid, Zamora and Huelva. It is considered a main variety in Jerez and Condado de Huelva DOs.
White. Plentiful in Badajoz, especially in the Guadiana area of Ribera Alta (80%), and in Albacete and Cuenca. In some areas it is known as Pardina.
Parellada
White, very productive and high quality grape. It is one of the basic grapes used when making cava. It thrives in Tarragona (59%), Barcelona and Lérida. It is considered a main variety in the following DOs: Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, Penedés, and Tarragona. It is also a key principal variety in DO Cava.
Parreleta
Red. A native grape from the Somontano DO region. It produces light, aromatic wines.
Pedro Ximénez
White grape with a high sugar content. To a greater or lesser extent, it is found almost everywhere in Spain, It is most widespread in Córdoba (68%), Badajoz, Málaga and Valencia and is considered a main variety in the following DOs: Jerez, Málaga, Montilla-Moriles, and Valencia.
Petit Verdot
Red grape originally from Bordeaux and particularly plentiful in Médoc. It is just starting to be used to make wines in Spain.
Pinot Chardonnay
Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir
Red variety of French origin found across Europe (Germany, northern Italy...), America (California, Chile...) and Australia. Burgundy and Champagne are the Pinot Noir regions par excellence. Recently there have been some examples of wines made with this grape in Spain. It is a variety that buds and ripens early, suitable for cooler northern climates. Although it is a red grape, it is also the basis for white champagne.
Planta Fina
White. Also called Planta Pedralba. Authorised by Valencia DO.
Red grape which produces very aromatic, distinctive wines, rather light in colour but very pleasant. Plentiful in Zamora and León.
Provechón
Red. Specially plentiful in Aragón and Cañamero areas. Authorised by Ribera del Guadiana D.O.
Riesling
White. Originated in the Rhine area. High quality, with a characteristic aroma. In Spain, it is mainly found in Catalonia and, to a lesser extent, in Murcia and Huesca.
Rufete
Red. Found mainly in the Sierra de Salamanca, it produces light wines.
Samsó
Red. This is a traditional Penedés variety, but is currently not produced in large quantities.
Sauvignon
White. Of French origin, this variety performs very well in wines subjected to an ageing process, and in cavas. In Spain it is mainly grown in Castile and León and in Catalonia.
Sousón
Red. Another of the many native Galician varieties, also very rare. It is covered by the Rías Baixas and Ribeiro DO regulations.
Subirat Parent
White. Considered a main variety in Penedés DO. It is also grown in Rioja, where it is known as Malvasía Riojana.
Sumoll
Red. Grown in Artés (Barcelona) and in Conca de Barberá DO, although it is not covered in the regulations governing this denomination.
Syrah
Red. A variety thought to have come from Persia, grown extensively in central and southern France. Hermitage wines are usually 100% Syrah. Very little is grown in Spain (principally Catalonia and La Mancha).
Tempranillo
Red. Superb quality and very aromatic, the star of Spanish grapes. It is called Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, Cencibel in Castile-La Mancha and Madrid, and Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais in Castile and Leon. It flourishes in Burgos, La Rioja, Alava, Cuenca and Ciudad Real. It is considered a main variety in the following DOs: Calatayud, Cigales, Conca de Barbera, Costers del Segre, La Mancha, Penedes, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Somontano, Utiel-Requena, Valdepenas, and Vinos de Madrid.
Tinta de Toro
Red. Produces aromatic, good quality wines, although it does not give high yields. Some maintain that it is an acclimatised version of Tempranillo that has become adapted to the region of Zamora, and that this is also the origin of its name. It is considered a main variety of Toro DO.
White. Originally from Galicia, it produces wines of little body and good acidity, with considerable personality and an intense bouquet. It can be found throughout Galicia and in Córdoba.
Treixadura
White. Native to Galicia, this is one of the most aromatic varieties of Galician grape, and its cultivation is being encouraged in a number of areas. It is considered a main variety in Ribeiro DO.
Trepat
Red. Found in Costers del Segre and Conca de Barberá DOs.
White. Very high quality and one of the best white varieties in Spain. It makes very aromatic, glyceric, soft wines with body. It is plentiful in Valladolid (69%), Segovia and Ávila. It is considered a main variety of Rueda DO.
Verdello
White. Found in some parts of the Canary Islands.
Verdil
White. Found in Alicante and Murcia.
Verdoncho
White. Found scattered around La Mancha and Manchuela DOs. It is not considered a quality grape.
Viognier
White. This variety originated in the northern Côtes du Rhône area. It is still used on a very small scale by Spanish wine-producers, but is likely to gain wider acceptance in the future, given that it is a grape of superb quality that grows well in warm regions.
White. Together with the Macabeo and Parellada varieties, it makes up the trilogy of cava grapes. It produces very aromatic wines. It is considered a main variety in the Alella (where it is known as Pansá), Costers del Segre, Penedés and Tarragona DOs, as well as in denominated cava-producing areas.
Zalema
White. This variety is not easy to handle as it has a tendency to oxidise rapidly and produces light, rather neutral wines. Found in Huelva (95%) and Seville. It is the most common variety in Condado de Huelva DO.
