Andalucia
Andalucía, a region in southern Spain has a long and diverse winemaking history. While not that famous for its wines as some other Spanish regions like Rioja or Ribera del Duero, the region is known for its beautiful landscapes and quality winemaking tradition. Traditional methods are still common in this region involving amongst others the use of mules for ploughing and harvesting.
The best wines from Andalucia
Andalucía, a region in southern Spain has a long and diverse winemaking history. While not that famous for its wines as some other Spanish regions like Rioja or Ribera del Duero, the region is known for its beautiful landscapes and quality winemaking tradition. Traditional methods are still common in this region involving amongst others the use of mules for ploughing and harvesting.
Andalusia's viticultural history stretches back more than 2,000 years with winemaking by the Phoenicians. These vineyards were the cradle of the first Spanish wines. The region became really known for wines such as Sherry when exporting them within Europe. That was until the 19th century, when diseases struck European vineyards, including Jerez and Malaga, which are smaller wine regions within the Andalucia wine region.
Andalusia has a hot climate. That is why vineyards are often situated in the cooler coastal or higher-altitude areas. These vineyards thrive in mountainous regions like Sierras de Malaga, Sierra Nevada, and Alpujarras. The area offers a range of cultivated grapes, from local to international varieties, making it a very diverse wine region. Some vineyards, even at 1,000 to 1,400 meters, produce wines with grapes like Pinot Noir, which is very uncommon in a south mediterranean area.
Other regions
Grapes in wines from Andalusia
Andalucia makes dry white wines from well-known grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Viognier as well as red wines from Tempranillo and local varieties (such as Tintilla de Rota and Jaen Negro). Winemakers in Ronda, Sierras de Malaga, have recently been producing high-quality red and white table wines, commonly referred to as 'The Ronda Wines.'
Sherry is made from three grapes which are allowed to make sherry: Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel.and Palomino.
Sherry
Sherry and Malaga wines, originating from six designated zones, stand as the region's premier offerings. The globally renowned Sherry originates from the 'Sherry Triangle' found in Cádiz, where it benefits from sufficient rainfall that promotes vine growth in limestone-rich soils. Sherry has several varieties, including Fino and Oloroso. Malaga and Sierras de Malaga are famous for their exceptional sweet dessert wines.
Worldwide sherry is enjoyed by many wine lovers. The brand is protected and originates from Andalusia.
Wine producers
Classifications of Andalucia wines
The emphasis on high-quality production has continued to this day, more than 70% of Andalusia's vineyards are overseen by six Denominación de Origen (DO) regions, these regions are:
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- DO Manzanilla de Sanlúcar
- DO Montilla-Moriles
- DO-Condado-de-Huelva
- DO-Málaga
- DO-Sierras-de-Málaga