Spain

• Alicante
• Andalusia
• Campo de Borja
• Castilla y Leon
  • Bierzo
• Catalonia
• Jerez
• Jumilla
• Madrid
• La Mancha
• Manchuela
• Méntrida
• Montsant
• Navarra
• Pais Vasco (Basque)
• Priorat
• Rias Baixas
• Ribera Del Duero
• Ribera del Guadiana
• Rioja
• Rueda
• Terra Alta
• Toro
• Valdeorras
• Valdepeñas
• Valencia
• Yecla

Valencia's association with wine and the wine trade dates back to Neolithic times. Excavations of ancient gravesites have helped archaeologists document this tradition of grape cultivation. Certainly Valencia's long history as a prominent port city has bolstered its connections to winemaking and wine exports. Today, Valencia is Spain's third-largest city and biggest wine export center; its exporters send products from the Valencia DO to markets around the world.

Ribera del Guadiana is one of Spain's newest wine regions. The Extremadura area, which borders Portugal, Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León, has a long history of winemaking. The area's only DO, Ribera del Guadiana, was not established until 1997, when Extremadura's six Vino de la Tierra regions were combined. Ribera del Guadiana's diverse terroirs and large list of approved grape varieties have given the region's winemakers a lot to work with. The resulting wines vary greatly in style and quality, but Ribera del Guadiana's winemakers have established a significant goal, to make high-quality wines in the modern style that reflect the uniqueness of Extremadura.

Valdepeñas, which translates to "valley of stones," has been part of Spain's winemaking heritage since at least the 4th century B.C. The area is known not only for its long history of exporting wines but also for its tradition of fermenting wines in huge (1,600 liter) jars called tinajas. In centuries past, winemakers partially buried these large earthenware vessels in the earth, which helped keep the wine cold throughout the fermentation process. Today, of course, the jars have been replaced by modern equipment and production processes; Valdepeñas now sells more wine than any other Spanish DO except Rioja. The Valdepeñas region has long held a reputation for producing quality, value-priced wines.

When you see references to Spain's Somontano DO, you'll also notice adjectives like "exciting" and "modern." In The Wines of Spain , author Julian Jeffs calls Somontano's wines "some of the best in Spain."

Spanish wine expert Julian Jeffs calls Terra Alta "a place to watch." Winemakers in this remote northeastern region have set their sights high. They hope to make Terra Alta a star player on the international winemaking stage, following in the footsteps of their neighbors from Priorat. With wine lovers around the world focusing on value as well as quality, Terra Alta's winemakers have an opportunity to do just that.

IntoWine.com asked our panel of wine experts their recommendation for one Spanish wine worth seeking out (but which won't break the bank): See also: Best Spanish Red Wines Where to begin? Spain is so huge with so many different styles of wine. Yet, people talk about it as if it were one region. I am going to let the traditionalist in me take over. For most of Spain’s wine history over the last two hundred years, the area that produced the most famous wines was Rioja. This landlocked area in north central Spain still makes some of the best wine: some of it in the modern style, while other wines are produced in a traditional method. Find Muga Wines I am going to suggest the traditional producer of Muga. This winery, founded in 1932 makes a variety of wines at many price levels. I first am going to recommend seeking out wines from the fabulous 2004 vintage. Then look for either the Reserva or Selection Especial. These should cost around $30 and $45 respectively. While not inexpensive, these wines can be brought home and drunk or cellared for a decade or more. Made from the Tempranillo grape, they have brilliant cherry flavors with vanilla notes. Perfect with hearty to light foods or by themselves. This is a winery I would trust in all vintages with all of their different wines. - Loren Sonkin is an IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder/Winemaker at Sonkin Cellars.

Alicante isn't Spain's largest or most famous wine region. In fact, Alicante is fairly small, and it tends to be overshadowed by its better-known neighbors, Jumilla and Valencia. Alicante has much to offer the wine lover, however, particularly Fondillón, made from monastrell grapes and unique to this DO. Alicante's other wines, particularly its reds, have steadily worked their way up into the ranks of Spain's top-scorers, and the region's award-winning moscatels are also worth trying.

Yecla is one of Spain's smallest wine regions. Established in 1975, the Yecla DO surrounds the city that shares its name. Like many small wine regions, Yecla has survived because of a fierce dedication to its traditions and heritage.

Priorat, Spain 2009 88 D 2008 87 D 2007 89 D 2006 90 D/H 2005 90 D/H 2004 93 D/H 2003 88 D/H 2002 82 D 2001 93 D/H 2000 83 D 1999 92 D 1998 88 D 1997 85 D 1996 87 D 1995 86 D 1994 88 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific knowledge about a bottle or producer...

Rioja, Spain 2009 87 D/H 2008 89 D/H 2007 88 D/H 2006 88 D/H 2005 90 D/H 2004 93 D/H 2003 89 D 2002 80 D 2001 94 D/H 2000 88 D 1999 86 D 1998 87 D 1997 87 D 1996 85 D 1995 91 D 1994 89 D 1993 83 D 1992 82 D 1991 80 D 1990 84 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of...