Discover the Best Wine Regions of Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal Wine Regions Map

The map above highlights the major wine regions in Spain and Portugal, complete with suggested nearby cities for overnight stays while enjoying a wine tour. Discovering these places offers a deeper appreciation for the beauty and cuisine of the Iberian wine regions.

Penedès Wine Region – Spain

The Penedès wine region is situated to the southwest of Barcelona in northeast Spain. This area is home to renowned wineries, particularly those producing cava, the famous Spanish sparkling wine. Noteworthy producers such as Freixenet and Codorniu, along with Torres, known for Sangre de Toro, thrive here.

Wines have been crafted in Penedès for over 1500 years, with the Phoenicians introducing Chardonnay vines in the 6th century.

The regional capital, Vilafranca del Penedès, established in the 12th century, serves as a hub for wine lovers.

Nearby, the historic city of Tarragona offers additional exploration opportunities.

Navarra Wine Region – Spain

Navarra extends from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Ebro River, nestled in the Basque region. Its northern boundary is defined by Pamplona, a city famously associated with the running of the bulls. Once a prolific producer of rosé wines, Navarra is increasingly recognized for its fine red and white wine quality, with red wine production quadrupling from 1988 to 2005.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Romans established wineries in the region as early as the 2nd century BC, and in the Middle Ages, wines from Navarra were highly regarded by pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

La Rioja Wine Region – Spain

La Rioja is perhaps the most famous Spanish wine region, having gained Qualified Denomination of Origin status in 1991 to signify top-quality wines with strict production controls.

Logroño serves as an ideal base for exploring La Rioja, bustling with wine bars and excellent tapas restaurants, all within walking distance of its cathedral.

The region permits the use of various grape varieties, including tempranillo, garnacha tinta, graciano, and mazuelo for red wines, and viura, malvasia, and garnacha blanca for white wines.

Ribera del Duero Wine Region – Spain

Ribera del Duero is one of Spain’s rapidly evolving wine regions, gaining official Denominacion de Origen status in 1982 when quality grape cultivation began to flourish.

Here, grape varieties such as Tempranillo, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Garnacha, thrive in the region’s unique temperature variations, resulting in a higher acidity than in other Spanish wine areas.

While exploring, a noteworthy lodging option is Peñafiel, featuring a beautifully restored castle open for exploration.

Rueda Wine Region – Spain

Located just southwest of Ribera del Duero in Castilla y León, Rueda has a winemaking history dating back to the 11th century, primarily producing sherry-like wines from the Verdejo grape. Modern vintners are now focusing on crafting fresh, fruity wines from Verdejo, often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, using state-of-the-art techniques.

When visiting Rueda’s wineries, options for accommodation include Valladolid to the north or the charming towns of Segovia to the southeast and Salamanca to the west, which also allows for accessible trips to Portugal’s Douro region.

Douro Wine Region – Portugal

The Douro wine region, primarily known for its Port wine, holds the title of the world’s oldest designated wine region, with winemaking practices extending over 2000 years. The Alto Douro region, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features stunning views, with grapes primarily cultivated on steep slopes along the Douro River.

While a day trip is possible, a scenic boat ride down the Douro River from the city of Porto offers a more romantic experience.

For tasting and purchasing Port wines, Vila Nova de Gaia, situated across the Douro from Porto, is the ideal location, offering comprehensive information on local Port wines, wine lodges, and accommodation options.

Vinho Verde Region – Portugal

Situated between the Douro and the Spanish border, the Vinho Verde region boasts unique growing conditions influenced by hot summers and wet winters.

Translating to “green wine,” Vinho Verde emphasizes vibrant acidity and fresh flavors rather than color, with its white variants intended for consumption within a year of bottling.

Accommodations in this region can be found in picturesque towns such as Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, and Braga, with Porto also being an excellent option for visitors.

Alentejo Wine Region – Portugal

The Alentejo region is a personal favorite known for its focus on red wines, benefiting from a consistent climate that facilitates grape ripening.

With winemaking traditions dating back to Roman times, the Alentejo still produces wines using ancient methods in amphorae known as Vinho de Talha. Today, many wineries blend traditional practices with modern techniques. The region is rapidly developing its tourism infrastructure, and staying at a pousada in towns like Estremoz, Évora, or Beja is highly recommended.

Dão Wine Region – Portugal

The Dão wine region is among the best-known in Portugal, with many wines widely available in shops. Although vineyards do not dominate the landscape, tasting red wines is best done in less traditional visit sites. Vineyards are primarily located along the Mondego and Dão rivers amidst mountainous terrain that shields them from maritime influences.

Touriga Nacional serves as the leading red grape variety, often blended with others. Visitors should also consider exploring Coimbra while visiting Dão vineyards to the north.

La Mancha Wine Region – Spain

La Mancha is one of Spain’s oldest wine regions, located on a high plateau between Madrid and Andalusia. Its low rainfall and warm summers produce ripe grapes, including Cencíbel (primary grape), Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, and Moravia for red wines; as well as Airén, Macabeo, and Pardilla for whites.

This vast region is one of the largest wine-producing areas in the world, contributing to half of Spain’s wine-growing capabilities.

As La Mancha’s wine routes meander through towns like Alcázar de San Juan, Pedro Muñoz, and others, staying in nearby Toledo can offer a more urban experience.

Jerez Wine (Sherry) Region – Spain

Jerez is well known for producing fortified wine Sherry. The region’s chalky soil is ideal for retaining moisture from winter rains, essential for grapes during the hot summers. The wine not transformed into sherry often gets distilled for Andalusian brandy, while table wines in the area are typically considered of lower quality.

While mass-produced Sherries are available, the real treasure lies in sampling offerings from smaller, often hard-to-find producers in the region.