Unbeknown to most, Spain now ranks as the third largest wine producer in the world, having nearly doubled its exports to the United States alone in the last decade.  In addition, Spain threatens to replace France as the world’s top wine producer in 2015, if the current trends continue.  If you have not yet treated yourself to the experience of tasting Spanish wines, this would be a great time to do so.  Wine producers, as a whole, have benefited from a few years of forgiving weather producing reds with character, intensity and personality and light, crisp whites.  As you will see on the Wine Finder segment, there is a wide universe of value and quality Spanish wine just waiting to be discovered in Tucson alone.  Fortunately for us, it appears as if the worldwide economy has made these wines even more attractive in pricing.  One word of caution, however.  There are many inexpensive Spanish wines out there that suffer from mediocre quality so please, use our list of Spanish value and quality wines in Tucson in the Wine Finder.

While there many wine growing regions throughout the country, the most notable are the Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat.  Not to ignored, however, are several smaller up and coming areas such as Toro, Jumilla, Penedes (producing the infamous Spain version of Champagne, Cava), Bierzo, Navarra, Calatayud, Caceres, and Rias Baixas (producing the very popular Albarino varietal).  It is also noteworthy that Spain has the most land under vine in the world.