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.
Albarín Blanco
White. Native grape of Asturias of intense green and bright-yellow color. It is characterized by its early maturity and strong moscatel flavor that can reach high alcohol content. Also known as Raposo and Blanco Verdín.
Albarín Negro
Red. Limited and not very productive grape native of Asturias, medium-high alcohol content and high acidity.
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. It is also known as Pardina in the DO Ribera del Duero.
Alcañón
White. Native to the Somontano growing area in Aragón. It produces light white wines with a distinctive bouquet.
White. Native of Spain (La Rioja) and cultivated in Andalusia, Canary Islands, Valencia and La Rioja. It is a grape that needs a lot of sun, whose clusters are large and compact. Berries are large with a yellow color. The wines made from this grape are pale with fruity aromas without much alcohol. It is often used mixed with other varieties.Also known byBaboso Blanco, Bastardo Blanco, Calagraño, Jaén, Jaén Blanco y Valadí.
Red.Clusters are small, compact with small berries, high sugar content and medium acidity. Also known as Bastardo (Canary Islands, Portuguese)Batardinho(Portuguese),Gros Cabernet(French),María Ordoña,Merenzao(Galicia),and Trousseau(French).
Beba
The grape Beba, or Eva, is a white grape variety, used for the production of wine and grapes. It is also knowned as Beba de los Santos or Beba dorada. The grapes are large, round, with a yellowish green color. it produces fresh and fruity wines. It is authorized in Extremadura, used by the DO Ribera del Guadiana.
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.
Bonicaire
Red. Also known as embolicaire in Valencia. It is a grape variety for the production of wine allowed in Murcia and Valencia.
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.
Caíño tinta
Red. Native of Galicia. It's a late ripening grape; its clusters are medioum size and not very compact. Its berries have a dark blue color.
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.
Callet
Red. Native of the Balearic Islands. It is a grape with little structure, which does not give many tannins, and produces high alcohol wines. It is often mixed with Cabernet, Manto Negro or Tempranillo to gain in complexity and better withstand the barrel aging.
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.
Carménère
Red. Native of the Medoc region in France, it extinguished almost from all of Europe due to phylloxera. The highest concentration of this varietal is given today in Chile. It produces high colored and full body wines, with aromas where green notes and paprika stand out.
Carrasquin
Red. Native varietal of Asturias, with little flavor and low acidity and little color intensity. Attractive mainly for the production of rosé wines.
Castellana
Red.Native variety of the Canary Islands. Authorized under DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora
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.
Chenín Blanc
White. Native of the Anjou area in the LoireValley (France). Their clusters are medium sized and compact. Used to produce dry white, semi-dry and even sweet wines. In view shows a faint greenish-yellow with some reflections, leading to gold with hazelnut and honey aromas. On the palate it has a balanced acidity with apples, white peaches and hazelnuts flavors. It is grown in the DO Penedés
White. Grape of French origin, also known as Colombo and Colombier in France, or French Colombard in California. Their clusters are medium, long, cylindrical, often double, with long peduncles. The berries are medium in short oval form, green yellow color with high levels of acidity when ripe.
Doña Blanca
White. Also knowned asMoza Fresca, Valenciana o Cigüente. Large clusters, not very compact, with large berries. Acquires a high concentration of sugar and acidity. Some consider it the variety Merseguera moved to the area of Galicia.
Doradilla
White. Native of the north area of the DO Málaga de Sierra de Málaga. Does not exist in other wine areas. The cluster is medium size.
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.
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.
Frankenthal
Red. Very vigorous grape variety. The berries are spherical, thick (20-23mm), thin-skinned, blue-black color, juicy, and with a slightly grassy flavor.
Gargollasa
Red. Native of the BalearicIsland, very rare, used as an experimental variety in the DO Binissalem-Mallorca.
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 Peluda
Red. This variety is indigenous to Catalonia. It is from the same family as the Garnacha grape, but with less color and less alcoholic content. Provides lots of color in blends.
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.
Garrido Fino
White. Its low sugar content and acidity make it suitable to correct sweeter varieties. It is found only in the DO Condado de Huelva from where it I native. Also known asGarrío FinoorPalomino Garrío.
Gewürztraminer
White. Originally from central Europe, it is a very aromatic grape that gets large amounts of sugars. It is used mainly in the french region of Alsace. In Spain it is used in more temperate areas such as the D.O. Somontano.
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.
Gran Negro
Red. Originally from Galicia. Cultivated in the DO. Monterrei and the D.O. Valdeorras, Also known as theGrand Noir de la Calmettein
France
.
Gual
White. Exclusive variety from Tenerife
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. 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.
Malvasía de Sitges
White.It differs from Malvasia in its later vintage, its higher level of acidity, its sensitivity to mildew and that it is located close to the sea.
Red. Variety grown in the Canary Islands in the DO La Palma, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de la Orotava, Valle de Güimar, and Ycoden-Daute-Isora.The plants have a certain similarity with the Malvasia variety. The clusters are medium sized, not very compact. The grapes are elliptical, pink and medium size. Usually used in
Red. Native to the area of Valencia, rare and in an experimental phase for the production of wines. Clusters are small, with loose grains and a moderate production.
Manseng
White. Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng are other names by which this varieties native of the Jurançon area of France are known. It is used in Spain by the DO Chacolí de Vizcaya and DO Chacolí de Álava The Gros Manseng produces dry white wines fresh and delicately scented, while the Petit Manseng lends itself very well to the ripeness and the production of spirits with typical aromas of exotic fruits.
Manto Negro
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.
White. Compact cluster of medium size, cylindrical-winged, and medium size berries with a high acidity content during maturation. It produces very noble acidity wines. Its cultivation is located in the Canary Islands.Also calledBermejuelaorVermejuelo.
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.
Morenillo
Red. Native of the DO Terra Alta.
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.
Moscatel de Alejandría
White. Its berries are thick, flesy, pale yellow with a musky taste. It has a powerful aroma, and high sugar content. It produces very wharacteristic wines. It is a grape widespread throughout Spain, expecially in coastal areas such as Valencia, Málaga, Alicante, Cádiz, Jerez and the Canaries Islands. It is the main varietal in the DO of Malaga and Valencia. It is also known as Moscatel Romano
Moscatel de Grano Menudo
Blanca. Early budding grapes with good behavior in limestone terrain. It comes from the eastern Mediterranean area, cultivated primarily in Andalucía, but also found in parts of Navarre. It produces dry or semi-dry, sweet, highly aromatic and high-ranking acidity wines.
Red. Spanish varietal, hybrid ofMoscatel de AlejandríaandFrankenthal. Its berries have muscatel flavors. Widely cultivated in the Canary Islands as well as in the DO Somontano.
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.
Nero Davola
Red. It is the most important grape of red wines in Sicily and is one of the major Italian varietals. Its name comes from "Avola" at the southern tip of Sicily. It produces wines with soft tannins and flavors of plum and pepper.
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, 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.
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.
Perruno
White. Spanish variety of early sprouting, disease and pest’s resistant, medium size, and slightly flattened berries.
Petit Verdot
Red grape originally from Bordeaux and particularly plentiful in Médoc. It is just starting to be used to make wines in Spain.
Picapoll Blanco
White. Catalonia's native grape used in the D.O. Pla de Bages. Late ripening grape that produces nice, fresh, bright yellow and very aromatic wines.
Picapoll negro
Red. Also known as picapoll tinta. The grape is native to the region of Pla de Bages and Montsant.
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.
Planta Nova
White. Authorised by Utiel-Requena DO.
Prieto Picudo
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.
Romé
Red. Native variety of Malaga. It is grown mainly in the region of Axarquia. The berries are large and elongated.
Rubí Cabernet
Red. Originally from California. This is a hybrid variety of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cariñena. Its berries are black, of medium size and oval shape. It produces wines with good color and a pleasant strawberry flavor, but is usually mixed for bulk wines.
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.
Semillón
White. Originally from the Bordeaux region in south-western France. It is a variety with many uses: they can develop dry or sweet wines, sherry or brandy. Gives the best results when vinified in partnership with other varieties, especially Sauvignon Blanc. In Spain it is used by Vino de Pago Guijoso.
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).
Tannat
Red. Originally from the Madrian region in France. It has acquired its greatest notoriety in Uruguay, becoming its most emblematic strain. Produces powerful and deep wine colors wines, with complex aromas, and delicate but noticeable tannins, allowing it to undergo aging processes.
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.
White. Native of the DO Valencia. Also called Nave and Tortosí.
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.
Trincadera
Red. Originally from Portugal. It produces wines of high alcohol content, good acidity, dry and balanced, with red, floral and fruity aromas.
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.
Verdejo Negro
Red. Grape of mountain viticulture native of Asturias. Early ripening and low yields grape for young wines of intense flavor and low acidity.
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.
Vidadillo
Red. Native to the area of Carignan in France. It almost disappeared but it is gradually being recovered. It has features similar to Garnacha tinta but its berries are larger with thicker skin, darker color, and less sugar content. It produces wines with a clear vocation of aging in barrel and bottle, and for its high tannic it is used as a component for blending varieties like Garnacha and Tempranillo.
Vijariego
White. Scarce, it grows only in the Canary Islands (El Hierro, Tenerife) and Granada (Sierra de la Contraviesa-Alpujarra-). With good content on sugar and high in acidity, it offers great performance and disease resistance. Particularly suitable for making sparkling wine. The wines are fresh and fruity.It is also calledBujariego, Diego, Verijadiego, Vijariego, Vijiriego, Vujariego.
Vijariego Negro
Red. Little known grape, located almost exclusively on the island of Tenerife. Its clusters are medium size with thick, yellow-green, colorless juice, and neutral-herb flavour berries.
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.
