Its time again to tell you on the wines of my dear Spain,As said, this goes back from my beginnings ,and I still go for them everywhere, Of course post No 37 for the non Romans, I coming back at you with my wine news of Spain XXXVII !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Hot weather brings forward the 2026 grape harvest. High temperatures in recent weeks have dramatically accelerated grape ripening, forcing wineries to trigger an operational “red alert” much sooner than anyone anticipated. Sixty-three percent of wine companies struggled to fill their workforce needs last season, and this year, the labor bottleneck threatens to be even more severe unless thousands of seasonal workers are hired immediately. There is a desperate need for grape pickers, crate loaders, tractor drivers, and forklift operators to start work almost right away. Galicia is heading toward a record production of 81 million kilograms of grapes but faces a unique regulatory constraint: its Regulatory Councils mandate that the harvesting process be 100% manual to ensure the quality of the grape clusters.
In the heart of Rioja Alavesa, amidst historic vineyards and contemporary architecture, a wine tourism project is capturing the attention of international juries and wine lovers alike. It is a space designed for enjoying the landscape, the wine, and a fresh approach to winery sustainability, all situated within the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin. The project that has put Rioja Alavesa on the global wine tourism map is located in Oyón, very close to other iconic towns like Laguardia. Standing there is Legado Bodegas Faustino Bodegas Faustino’s wine tourism center which has just received the “Best Of Wine Tourism International 2026” award from the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. This accolade recognizes it as the world’s best wine tourism experience in the Architecture, Parks, and Gardens category. At the heart of the experience lies the “Planeta 1.0” visitor center, a building designed by the firm Foster + Partners, led by British architect Norman Foster. Its design draws inspiration from the concept of “One Planet” projects: buildings with an ecological footprint that can be absorbed by the surrounding natural environment. The green roof acts as a carbon sink, while the structure visually blends into the sea of vineyards that defines the Rioja Alavesa region. The standard tour covers the brand’s history spanning over 160 years of tradition and offers insights into the unique characteristics of Rioja Alavesa ,alongside a detailed explanation of modern, environmentally conscious vineyard management. The goal goes beyond mere wine tasting; it is about understanding the culture behind every bottle. For seasoned enthusiasts, the complex offers vertical tastings comparing the same label across different vintages and access to exclusive areas like the Martínez Zabala Gallery, which houses the estate’s limited editions and unique wines. Other highlights include “nose duels”—sensory workshops where visitors train their sense of smell to identify aromas as well as concerts and cultural events that take advantage of the vaulted building’s acoustics. The experience is rounded out by a daily wine bar serving wines by the glass and dishes created in collaboration with the Mahercooks team, featuring small bites designed to complement each specific wine.
Bodegas Barbadillo launches ‘La Sociedad de la Bota’ (The Cask Society): a wine tourism project that lets you own your own wine for 20 euros a month. We are talking about access to one of the country’s most coveted liquid treasures—wines that, throughout history, only a privileged few have ever tasted. The spark was ignited following a streak of unstoppable successes. Their iconic *Bota Única Alcalde Amontillado* reached for the stars, scoring 99 points on Robert Parker’s influential scale. Shortly after, the *Reliquia Amontillado* achieved the legendary 100-point mark in the *Guía Peñín*. Ultimate perfection does exist, and it is preserved in oak casks. Faced with such overwhelming enthusiasm, the winery founded in 1821 decided it was time to stop keeping this secret under lock and key. They have officially launched *La Sociedad de la Bota*, a membership program designed for those who want to experience history firsthand. The offering is divided into three tiers tailored to different profiles of connoisseurs who appreciate the finer things in life. The entry-level tier begins with the *Bota VOS*. For a fee of 20 euros a month ,you secure a wine with a minimum average age of 20 years for your personal cellar. If you want to raise the stakes, the *Bota VORS* option elevates the experience for 30 euros a month. Here, we enter hallowed ground: legendary wines aged for over three decades within the *solera* system. Furthermore, both options grant you access to private events and releases you would never find on a supermarket shelf. But the true jewel in the crown, the tier that has stunned the industry is the *Bota 1821* option. Here, the rules of the game change completely. You can request access or inquire about details by emailing their official address at sociedadbota@barbadillo.com
Mencía boasts a history deeply rooted in northwestern Spain, where it has long been part of the viticultural landscape of León and Galicia. Its exact origin remains a subject of debate, though genetic analysis has ruled out the old theory linking it to Cabernet Franc. Instead, it was determined to be the same variety as the Portuguese Jaen do Dão. It appears to have arisen from a cross between Alfrocheiro and Patorra varieties from the Portuguese Dão and Douro regions ,although a study by the Galician Viticulture and Enology Station (EVEGA) suggests a slightly different lineage: a cross between Albarín Tinto and Patorra. In any case, Mencía cultivation in the northwest Iberian Peninsula is ancient; there are records of vineyards in El Bierzo dating back to the 10C, and some terraced vineyards in Ribeira Sacra are traditionally attributed to the Roman era. Nevertheless, its precise origin remains a topic of expert discussion. Regardless, during the 16C and 17C, Mencía spread across several regions: El Bierzo (León), where it is now the dominant variety; Valdeorras (Ourense), where it plays a minor role compared to excellent Godello whites; Ribeira Sacra (Lugo and Ourense), grown on terraces overlooking the Sil River; and Monterrei (Ourense), as well as small areas in Asturias, Cantabria, Burgos, and Zamora. My experience here has been with the traditional Joaquín Rebolledo winery a pioneer in replanting the Mencía variety during the 1970s produces this popular red wine using grapes from its own vineyards and controlled plots along the Sil river valley, located in Fontei, Freixido, Trasdeirelas, Pedrazais, A Veiquiña, O Redondo, and San Roque. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine offers aromas of red fruits (cherry and raspberry) and black fruits (blackberry), with floral notes (violet), balsamic nuances, and subtle spicy undertones. Flavorful, fresh, and balanced, with a long, fruity finish. From the DO: Valdeorras
The Packaging Law 2030: the rule change forcing wineries to reinvent themselves. The key regulatory milestone sets 2030 as the deadline for all packaging marketed in the European Union to be fully recyclable or reusable. This requirement compels wineries to revisit the eco-design of their products, considering not only the glass but also labels, closures, and outer packaging. Furthermore, the law mandates a reduction in packaging weight and volume, thereby minimizing environmental and logistical impact. One of the most significant developments for the industry is the widespread implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this system, wineries become jointly responsible for managing the waste they generate, funding collection and recycling costs through fees that have been in effect since 2025.
Europe’s 10 most profitable wine regions according to the AAWE ranking; Galicia is the only Spanish region in the top ten. Champagne-Ardenne is the European wine region generating the highest net economic value per hectare of vineyard €60,030 according to a classification by the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) based on 2024 data from the European Union’s Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). On that same list, Galicia ranks seventh with €18,742 per hectare, making it the only Spanish region in the top ten. The second-ranked region, Alto Adige (Italy) totals 32,155 euros, surpassing the Aosta Valley third with 32,043 euros. Fourth place goes to Burgundy ,France) with 25,312 euros per hectare, followed by Liguria in fifth place with 21,177 euros. Luxembourg ranks sixth with 20,715 euros.
Wine consumption in Spain fell by 4.2% to 9.3 million hectoliters returning to near-record lows, In the year ending January 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture’s INFOVI system analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization (OIVE). The figure for January 2026 reverses the previous upward trend, bringing levels back close to the lows seen at the start of the decade
The essence of Somontano and the pre-Pyrenean valleys of Huesca; perhaps the most representative of these is Enate, named Best Winery in Spain for 2024/25 at the *Rutas del Vino de España* (Wine Routes of Spain) awards. Its motto is “the art of wine, the wine of art,” for in addition to producing wines with a Designation of Origin, the winery doubles as an art gallery, housing the country’s largest collection of Aragonese art. Each bottle serves as a window into the contemporary art of creators who have collaborated with the winery since 1992; artists such as Antoni Tàpies, Eduardo Chillida, Víctor Mira, and Antonio Saura. Its Art Hall displays over one hundred original pieces, alongside a private collection of more than four hundred works. Complementing this is their exceptional wine, which can be tasted at the “Las Artes” wine bar, paired with local dishes. Furthermore, they have recently added a picnic and viewing area offering a spectacular panoramic view of the vineyards and the Pyrenees, where visitors can enjoy a barbecue as part of the Enate experience. Its younger, more experimental sibling is Laus; housed in a minimalist building surrounded by pristine nature in the Las Almunietas area, it benefits from the limestone and stony soils that infuse the wine with distinctive aromas. Great wine tried first there and then elsewhere! The Official Bodega Enate: https://www.enate.es/en/winery/
Finally, for years my reference for Spanish wine the best Guia Peñin : https://guiapenin.wine/home
There you go folks, another wonderful post on my dear Spanish wines. Hoping for a long lasting memories of my dear Spain and its wine news. Again, hope you enjoy the series of my wine news of Spain XXXVII !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 