Spain's white wines bear the exact appellation of origin designation as its red wines, known as the Denomination of Origin (DO). Each DO often specialise in one or more different wine styles derived from particular grapes.
This designation denotes the region from which the grape was grown. Knowing what to anticipate can be difficult for visitors to Spain if you are unfamiliar with the country.
We have listed below the best white wines from Spain, and as a bonus, we also included our highly suggested white wines here at Kendricks Familia Imports.
Top 9: Best Spanish White Wines
When someone mentions Spanish wine, reds are typically the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are also other varieties of Spanish white wine that are regarded as being of exceptional quality.
Albariño
Galicia, in Spain's far northwest, is where Albariño is grown. High acidity and light body distinguish the wine from other variations.
Nectarines, limes, lemons, honeysuckle, beeswax, and pears are prominent flavors in the aromas when tasting. It is typically served as an aperitif or cocktail and pairs wonderfully with dishes that contain white meat or fragrant herbs. Tofu, chicken, trout, sea bass, scallops, and even shrimp are some typical meals that go nicely with this wine.
Cava
Catalan Cava is frequently contrasted with French Champagne. However, any Spaniard would tell you that this sparkling wine is just as good as champagne and costs considerably less.
Despite not being as well-known as Champagne, Cava is well worth trying because of its high quality and distinctively refreshing flavour, which are praised by wine experts worldwide.
Godello
Godello is a low-yielding, early blossoming, and maturing grape. Therefore, it is no surprise that it is one of the rare white wine grapes. Additionally, Godello can adopt the traits of its environment. As a result, Godello wines come in light and tart varieties and richer ones due to malolactic fermentation and prolonged lees contact.
Meanwhile, this white wine generally smells like stone fruit, peach, and apple, with hints of ginger and honey. Godello that has been aged in oak wood includes aromas of vanilla and baking spices; it goes great with seafood.
Rueda
Rueda is the most popular white wine in Spain. This grape is grown in vineyards in the municipalities of Avila, Segovia, and Valladolid in the province of Castilla. Rueda is produced by fermenting the Verdejo grape, typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc to create a more delicate combination.
The wine's clarifying process also uses local clay, giving it a distinct flavour that can only be found in genuine Spanish Rueda. As a result, the wine has enjoyed considerable commercial success in Spain and other countries.
Sherry
Sherry is a unique product because it can only be produced in Andalucia, where it has been for centuries. The wine has a unique flavour because of the location of the terrain, the humidity, the soil, the seasonal fluctuations, and the production method. Most of the dry white sherry made there is meant to match food.
Sparkling Albariño
From the native grape of Galicia in northwest Spain, Sparkling Albariño is given a crispness and distinct saline flavour by the region's granite soils, moderate maritime climate, and closeness to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a result, sparkling Albariño today has the potential to become the best sparkling wine in Spain. Growers using the grape to make this sparkling and delicious wine saw its good prospect because of Albariño's developing reputation for producing superior white wine and its distinctive freshness.
Txakoli
Burgos, Cantabria, and Basque are the three Spanish areas from where this dry and sparkling wine is produced. Txakoli usually has a maximum age of one year and is used as an aperitif.
The Txakoli White Wine was traditionally matured in large, hefty oak barrels. Today, it is primarily fermented in stainless steel barrels, which results in a taste that is lighter and less full-bodied than many other Spanish white wine varieties.
Verdejo
Verdejo is a rare, light-bodied white wine produced in Spain. With unexpected flavour developments with age, the wine is a superb substitute for Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.
Verdejo creates elegant white wines with notes of citrus blossom, grass, fennel, Meyer lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Although Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes used as a comparison, it merits its category. In contrast to white wines, Verdejo keeps improving after several years in the bottle, developing a rich structure and notes of toasty Marcona almonds complemented by mouthwatering acidity. In the end, stinging notes of grass and fennel almost make the wine taste crunchy.
White Rojas
Only white grapes, with Viura being the most significant, are used to make this Rioja-region wine. Rioja Blanco is another name for the region that bears the same name. It is extraordinary and rare at the same time since it may age for more than ten years; Spanish white Rioja is frequently used as an example of a magnificent white wine for aging and a model of Spanish white wine.
It is also noteworthy because it accounts for only about 10% of the region's wine production. In addition, the body of Rioja Blanco can vary from complete to mild.
Highly Suggested Spanish White Wines at Kendrick’s Familia Imports
Suppose you’re having difficulty choosing a Spanish White Wine for your special occasion. In that case, you might as well check out our top 2 highly suggested wines here at Kendrick’s Familia Imports that you’ll surely take a liking to!
1. Castelo de Medina Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Castelo de Medina Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is a crisp, juicy white wine with medium acidity and a long finish from Valladolid in the Rueda D.O. Grilled seafood and this Spanish white wine go along beautifully.
Region - Spain - Valladolid
Grape - Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol - 13%
Size - 750ml
2. Mar de Frades Albarino WIne 2020
An experimental wine from Bodegas Mar de Frades, the Mar de Frades Albarino 2020 from Rias Baixas, Spain, was inspired by el mar (the sea) characteristics. Its flavors of melon and lemon burst forward to meet traces of salt, minerals, and smoke. This wine has a beautiful sense of balance and a lovely tongue-softening sensation for your palate.
Region - Spain - Rias Baixas
Grape - Albarino
Alcohol - 13%
Size - 750ml
Why Are Spanish White Wines Not as Well-Known As Their Red Wines?
Wine experts and wine enthusiasts worldwide have praised the superiority of each Spanish White Wine on the list above. However, they are less well-liked than their red counterparts for various reasons, most of which are related to public relations efforts.
Red is a hue that is also linked to the well-known passion and temperament of the Spanish people. Red has an advantage over white simply because of this. So there is one explanation for why people prefer red Spanish wines to white ones—taste isn't a consideration.
In Conclusion
Spanish white wines are delightfully light, flavourful, and sharp. Enjoy these wines with your favourite seafood meals on a relaxing evening. Outstanding Viura and white Rioja wine bottles are also great investments if you want to keep stock in your home.
If you want to purchase an exquisite bottle of wine, may it be Ribera del Duero Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, or an excellent Spanish white wine, Kendricks Familia Imports is the one for you if you need a trustworthy shop to help you choose and find the most suitable wine for you!