From Rioja and Albariño to Cava and Sherry, Spain is a wine lover’s paradise. Located in Western Europe, the country is known for its diverse wine regions, each with their own iconic varietals, and a rich wine culture. It is home to famous wine regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat, which produce popular wines such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano.
The New Old World. Spanish bodegas are producing bold new styles attractive to the adventurous, alongside established successes. This exciting union of ‘new’ and ‘old’ manifests itself in places beyond the vineyards. Architecture enthusiasts will be thrilled to find 13th century medieval villages tucked closely alongside the modern Bilbao landmark of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum. Your palette too will be pleased to explore the traditional and contemporary, while discovering the true art of tapas, shopping for ingredients in Barcelona’s Boqueria market, or delighting in a master wine tasting in an underground 15th century cellar.
Next, continue on to Portugal, where the confluence of wine is truly unique. Their wine-making roots emerged out of ancient civilizations, and, due to centuries of economic isolation preventing trade with other European countries, Portuguese growers were forced to perfect their own grape varieties. In a world long dominated by France, Spain, and Italy, Portugal's wines seem finally to have emerged from the shadows. The country is home to famous wine regions such as the picturesque Douro Valley, which produces the famous Port wine, and the Alentejo region, known for its red wines made from the Touriga Nacional grape. Portugal is also home to the Cork Oak tree and contributes roughly one third of global cork production.
So raise a glass to one of Europe's most underrated wine destinations and discover with us the quality and diversity of Portuguese wines. There is a wealth to explore beyond great ports.
