The Best Spanish Wines Beyond Rioja
Spain is home to a diverse range of wine regions, each offering unique expressions of terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions. While some areas may have greater international recognition, many regions across the country produce high-quality wines that rival more famous appellations. Areas such as Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rías Baixas, Toro, and Jumilla, among others, have developed strong reputations for crafting distinctive and well-structured wines. These wines benefit from a combination of old vines, varied microclimates, and increasingly skilled winemakers who balance tradition with innovation. As a result, Spanish wines from outside the most well-known regions offer exceptional value and character, making them a favourite among both sommeliers and adventurous wine enthusiasts.
Galicia
Galicia, nestled in Spain’s misty green northwest, is where Atlantic soul meets ancient terroir. The wines here? Electric. Think saline-soaked Albariño from Rías Baixas—zippy, citrusy, with a whisper of sea spray—or the textured, mineral Godellos of Valdeorras. Reds more your thing? Mencía from Ribeira Sacra is light, floral, and spicy—like Pinot Noir with a wild streak and a Galician accent.
These wines are pure, honest, and dangerously drinkable. They speak of cliffs, rain, old vines, and tiny plots carved into the hillsides. The Terras Gauda, O Rosal, 2024 is a perfect reflection of this region and its wines.
Castilla y León
Big skies, wild landscapes, ancient vines. Castilla y León is where Spain goes full epic. Think rich reds, zingy whites from high-altitude vineyards, and obscure grapes making a glorious comeback. These wines are bold but balanced, rustic but refined—perfect for grilled meats and strong cheese.
Why drink them? Because they’ve got history and heat. Because they’re proper wine with personality. And because once you try a smoky Mencía or a crisp, salty Verdejo, you’ll wonder what took you so long. The Mencía from Bodegas Pittacum, Petit Pittacum, 2023 reflects this region amazingly with spice and delicious red fruit flavours.
Tenerife
Grown on rugged, terraced slopes of ancient lava flows, these wines are shaped by extreme microclimates, high-altitude vineyards, and mineral-rich soils. Tenerife's native grape varieties—like Listán Negro, Listán Blanco, and Negramoll—produce vibrant reds with smoky, earthy notes, and crisp, saline whites that are deeply expressive.
You should drink Tenerife wines because they’re off-the-beaten-path gems that offer a true sense of place. They're wild, soulful, and full of character—perfect for adventurous wine lovers looking to taste something authentic and unforgettable. With an intense reduction and smoky taste, Envinate, Benje Blanco, 2023 is an amazing little gem from the island and a perfect introduction to the culture they’re born from.
Andalucía
Wines from Andalucía, in southern Spain, are as bold and sun-soaked as the region itself. Best known for its Sherry (Jerez), Andalucía produces a wide spectrum—from the bone-dry, saline Fino and Manzanilla to the rich, nutty Amontillado and luxuriously sweet Pedro Ximénez. The hot climate, unique chalky albariza soils, and solera ageing system give these wines incredible complexity and age-worthiness.
People should drink them because they’re deeply expressive, versatile with food, and underrated gems in the wine world. Whether you want something refreshing, contemplative, or dessert-worthy, Andalucía has a wine that delivers tradition, character, and flavour in every sip. Not a fan of sherry? Then taste this: Luis Perez, La Escribana, 2022, made from the same grape that makes sherry, aged in oak and under flor. This wine has an amazing salinity and nutty quality, while still maintaining a delicious freshness.
It may not be as revered as France or Italy, but Spain has far more than meets the eye. Curious to see more? Then take a look at our website.