Spain is a wine-producing powerhouse, it sits on top of the list along with Italy and France, and its wine has a massive fan base. Spanish wine is sophisticated, yet it goes back for centuries. With dozens of grape varieties and styles available, the country’s wine is incredibly versatile.
Sure, most people know about the French Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, but you’ll be pleased to hear that Spain has wine grapes with similar traits and they’re equally delicious! If you’re looking for Spanish wines like Cabernet and Pinot Noir, you’re in the right place.
Spanish Wines Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is undoubtedly a popular red grape. Its bold structure and age-worthiness are hard to match, and so are its black fruit aromas and affinity for oak.
To match the world’s most prominent red grape, you must try the most acclaimed grape in Spain: Tempranillo. The noble red grape plays a stellar role in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, but also Toro and many other DOs around the country.
Just like Cabernet, Tempranillo comes in all styles, from young, approachable wines with a fruit-forward personality to age-worthy, memorable wines worthy of any wine collection. Expect the most wondrous red and black fruit aromas, hints of spices, leather and undergrowth, along hints of oaky vanilla in every drop.
Spanish Wines Similar to Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is known for its silken palate, finely grained tannins and piercing acidity. This is the very definition of elegance in the realm of wine.
Spain has its own refined wine grape, and it’s a specialty in ‘Spain’s Green Corner,’ Galicia. The name is Mencía, and you might want to remember that one — this is the source of the most delicate and pleasing light-bodied wines in Spain!
Just like Pinot Noir, Mencía is compatible with oily fish like salmon and tuna — it’s traditionally enjoyed with Spain’s seafood, including the fork-tender grilled octopus.
Spanish Wines to Try
For a fantastic Spanish alternative to Pinot Noir, try Finca Cuarta Mencia 2017. Grown in the steep vineyards in the holy Ribeira Sacra, this silky wine is aged in 20% new oak and comes from 50-year-old Mencía vines.
The brainchild of French and Spanish innovative winemaking minds. This 95 point red assembles a super interesting blend of majority Tempranillo, Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Made on one of the best recent vintages, Abadia Retuerta Seleccion Especial is a remarkable find.
A Rioja wine created in 1920s blending Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Grenache and Graciano. One of the most perfect cab-like blends fermented with native yeast, aged for 24 months in French and American oak. Realeased in 2018 and ready to drink now.
This fabulous wine from Rioja is a blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Syrah — it emulates the great Cabernet-dominated Bordeaux blend but displays Spain’s fiery spirit. Aged for six months, this is layers over layers of black fruit and spices. A worthy wine to replace Cabernet at the table with ease.
Spanish Wine Can Do It All!
It’s time to go out and try Spanish wines; the category is full of delicious surprises — Tempranillo and Mencía are just a drop in the bucket! There’s much more where they came from.
There’s great pleasure in knowing a country’s wine intimately, especially when it comes to Spanish wine. Not only does the country has wine styles to match any other in the world, but it also has unique styles no country can match.
Enjoy your new favorite Spanish wines and call some friends over because Spanish wine is better enjoyed with a good meal and close friends.
Cheers!
Daniel, from Del Duero Wines