I've Lived in Spain for Over a Decade-and These Are the Under-the-radar Wine Regions in the Country Most Tourists Miss

"If you've ever ordered from a wine list, you've likely heard of La Rioja, a northern region of Spain and one of the most well-known wine producers in the country. Lovers of Spanish sparkling wine are probably familiar with Penedès, Catalonia, a northeast region filled with cava vineyards. Meanwhile, aperitif fans will certainly recognize Cádiz, Andalusia, home to some of the world's best sherry. But beyond these big names, there are plenty of overlooked destinations wine lovers will relish."

"To say the least, wine is a big part of Spanish culture-it's enjoyed to socialize with friends at local bars, to accompany meals, or as a pre- or post-dinner drink. So it should come as no surprise that vineyards and wineries dot the geographically diverse landscape throughout Spain, with several of the country's 17 autonomous communities producing distinct types of wine. Catalonia and Castilla y Léon, for example, have multiple wine-growing regions to explore."

Spanish wine culture is integral to daily life, enjoyed socially, with meals, or as aperitifs and digestifs. Major regions such as La Rioja, Penedès, and Cádiz are widely recognized for their wines, cava, and sherry respectively. Spain's 17 autonomous communities produce diverse wine styles, and regions like Catalonia and Castilla y León contain multiple wine-growing areas. The Canary Islands host unique viticulture: Gran Canaria has more than 20 local grape varieties including castellana, listán negro, listán prieto, tintilla, burra blanca, baboso blanco, and listán blanco. The Canary Islands avoided phylloxera, preserving endemic ungrafted vines, and Gran Canaria earned Denomination of Origin status in 2005 with dozens of wineries across the island. Lanzarote features a striking landscape, with parts resembling Mars or the moon.

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