While France provides the most famous wines and Italy produces the largest quantity of wine, Spain has got the largest wine area in the world (1.8 million ha.) Spanish wines can be divided in:

1. Quality
The quality classification of Spanish wines is quite comparable with the Italian ones. The classification takes place on DO (Denomination de Origen or as you can say provenance) and DOCa (Denominacion de Origen Calificada or prestige wines). Only the Rioja Wine is a DOCa. Of course Spain has also table and local wines. Respectively Vino de Mesa and Vino Tierra.

2. Wine type
Spain produces still wines (mostly red), sparkling wine (cava) and fortified wines (sherry).
Spanish wine maturation requirements:

- On the back label you’ll always can read an indication of the maturation period and about the way of maturation: Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.
- Joven, young wine that has been lying on wood less than 6 months or sometimes not at all.
- Crianza, you’ll find this information in red, white and rosé. The maturation of red wine should be at least 2 years and of which at least 6 months in oak. The maturation of white and rosé Crianzas must be at least 1 year and of which 3 months in oak.
- Reserva; applies to red, white and rosé. The red ones must be at least three years including one year maturing in oak and one year on the bottle. The maturation of white and rosé Reservas is at least 2 years of which at least 6 months in oak.
- Gran Reserva, the statement means that they are long-matured wines. In good vintages you’ll see those kind of premium wines. The red version should mature at least 2 years in oak, three years in the bottle and may only be sold after the fifth year. The white and rosé Gran Reservas must mature at least 4 years in which 6 months in oak.

Wine regions of Spain
- Northwest (Galicia, Basque Country and Duero)
- Northeast (La Rioja, Navarra, Aragon and Catalonia)
- Middle (Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha)
- South (Andalucia, Murcia, Valencia and Balearic Islands)
- Canary Islands

Used wine terms in Spain
- Vino              Wine
- Blanco           White Wine
- Tinto              Red Wine
- Rosada          Rosé
- Cava             Sparkling wine (traditional method)
- Vino generoso Fortified wine
- Dulce             Sweet
- Bodega           Winery
- Copita            Sherry glass
- Mosto             Grape