The Wines category offers over 620 Spanish wines divided by colour and method of production - red, white, rosé, sparkling Cava and fortified Sherry. The wines come from recognised regions (D.O.) such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Penedès, Jerez and Jumilla, where the region of origin together with the grape variety determines both the style and the price of the wine. The strictest classification, D.O.Ca / D.O.C., is currently held by only a few regions, for example Rioja. Alongside the standard range, the category also offers Special wines for collectors with prices running into tens of thousands of crowns and Biodynamic wines from organic and sustainable farming. The choice of wine type is guided mainly by the occasion and by pairing with food.
How to find your way around this category
The range is divided by colour and production style. Red and white wines form the core of the offering with the widest choice of regions and grape varieties, rosé wines are a lighter option for summer dining. Sparkling wines (Cava) are made by the traditional method of fermentation directly in the bottle, Sherry is a fortified wine with a pronounced oxidative flavour. Special wines and Biodynamic wines cut across the colours - the first by prestige and price, the second by growing method.
For everyday dining, ordinary red and white wines are suitable, for a festive occasion Cava or special vintages. The key guide is always the region of origin (D.O.) and the grape variety.
Types of wine - how to choose by style and region
Spanish wines are governed by a system of protected designations of origin (D.O.), with the strictest category, D.O.Ca / D.O.C. (Denominación de Origen Calificada), held by only a few regions, among them Rioja.
| Type |
Main regions |
Characteristics |
Recommended pairing |
| Red wine |
D.O. Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jumilla, Mallorca |
Fuller body, tannin, often aged in oak barrels |
Jamón, aged cheeses, red meat |
| White wine |
D.O. Rioja, Penedès, Navarra |
Fresh and fruity, varieties such as Xarel.lo, Verdejo, Albariño |
Seafood, fish, lighter starters |
| Rosé wine |
D.O. Navarra, Rioja, Sierras de Málaga |
Light and fruity, served chilled |
Summer menus, tapas, grilled vegetables |
| Sparkling wines (Cava) |
D.O. Penedès, Corpinnat |
Traditional method of fermentation directly in the bottle |
Aperitif, festive toast |
| Sherry |
D.O. Jerez |
Fortified wine, styles from dry fino to sweet Pedro Ximénez |
Fino as an aperitif, Pedro Ximénez with dessert |
The specific vintage and ratings (for example Parker points) differ from one wine to another and change with each delivery. You will always find the current vintage and specifications in the detail of the given product.
Special and biodynamic wines
The Special wines subcategory includes prestigious and collectors' bottles, for example vintages of Viña el Pisón from Artadi or Pago Negralada from Abadía Retuerta, where the price rises with the vintage and the rating and can reach tens of thousands of crowns per bottle. Biodynamic wines come from producers farming without synthetic preparations and with regard for natural cycles, represented among others by the D.O. Jumilla and D.O. Sierras de Málaga regions.
With limited and collectors' vintages, availability changes quickly - always check the current stock quantity in the product detail.
Storing and serving wine
Wine is best stored in a dark, cool and stable place (ideally 12-16 °C), with the bottles lying down so that the cork stays moist. The serving temperature differs by type - red wine is served slightly cooler than room temperature (around 16-18 °C), white and rosé wine chilled to 8-12 °C, Cava and fino sherry cooler still (6-8 °C).
An opened bottle should be consumed within a few days; with fortified sherry it keeps longer thanks to the higher alcohol content. For full-bodied red wines, decanting is worthwhile, as it helps open up the flavour and aroma.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between D.O. and D.O.C. in Spanish wine?
D.O. (Denominación de Origen) is the standard protected designation of origin, D.O.Ca / D.O.C. (Denominación de Origen Calificada) is a stricter, higher category with more demanding rules, currently held by only a few regions, for example Rioja.
What is Cava and how does it differ from champagne?
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine made by the traditional method of fermentation directly in the bottle, just like champagne, but it comes predominantly from the Penedès region and may not carry the designation champagne, which is reserved for the French region of Champagne.
What is the ideal serving temperature for wine?
Red wine is served at around 16-18 °C, white and rosé chilled to 8-12 °C, Cava and fino sherry cooler still, at around 6-8 °C.
What is sherry and how is it drunk?
Sherry is a fortified wine from the D.O. Jerez region in Spain. Dry styles such as fino or manzanilla are drunk chilled as an aperitif, sweet Pedro Ximénez is served with dessert or with ice cream.
Why is decanting recommended for red wine?
Decanting aerates the wine and helps release its aroma, and at the same time separates any settled sediment in older vintages. It is most useful with full-bodied red wines rich in tannin.
What does biodynamic wine mean?
Biodynamic wine comes from vineyards farmed without synthetic fertilisers and sprays, with regard for natural cycles and the soil. It is a stricter approach than conventional organic agriculture.
How long does an opened bottle of wine keep?
Ordinary wine usually keeps for 2-4 days in the fridge with the cork reinserted, while fortified wines such as sherry keep longer thanks to their higher alcohol content, easily even several weeks.
Subcategories and related products
Red wine
The widest selection, the Rioja, Ribera del Duero and other regions
Sherry
Fortified wines from D.O. Jerez
Good to know
What matters in practice
The region of origin (D.O.), the grape variety and the vintage, and with sherry the ageing style.
Also: the price rises with the prestige of the region and the rating of the wine.
What we base this on
The Spanish system of protected designations of origin (D.O., D.O.Ca) and information from the wineries Artadi, Abadía Retuerta, Gramona and others.
Also: we verify current vintages with the specific products.
Where the limits are
The availability of vintages and limited wines changes quickly, and with prestigious bottles the quantity tends to be limited.
Also: you will always find current stock availability in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Vermouth, spirits or non-alcoholic drinks.
Also: you will find those in the parent category Wines and drinks.
