Spanish White Wine

Finding a good white wine from Spain is easier than you think. With more than 400 indigenous grape varieties, as well as international varieties, Spain offers a vast range of wine styles and flavor profiles. And it's not just the famed reds like Rioja that are worth your attention. Spanish white wines featuring grapes such as Airén, Albariño, Garnacha Blanca, Godello, Verdejo and Viura are all deserving of a place in your glass.

With a history of winemaking that dates back thousands of years, Spain is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. This combination of native grapes and winemaking knowledge has resulted in the production of Spanish wines that are both exciting and impressive.

Spanish white wines are exceptional in their style. Here's what you can look forward to:

• Albariño: This white grape variety is native to the region of Rías Baixas in northwestern Spain. Albariño wines are known for their refreshing acidity, floral aromas and notes of citrus and stone fruits. This makes Albariño the go-to drink with any seafood.
• Verdejo: Grown primarily in the Rueda region, Verdejo produces aromatic and crisp white wines with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus and herbs.
• Viura: Also known as Macabeo, is a versatile white grape variety used in the production of white Rioja, sparkling Cava and other white wines in Spain. It offers a balance of floral, fruit and herbal notes.
• Airén: The most widely planted white grape variety in Spain, Airén is used mainly for the production of neutral and light-bodied white wines.
• Godello: A white grape variety that thrives in the arid landscapes of northwest Spain. It produces elegant and complex white wines that showcase flavors of citrus, white flowers and hints of stone fruits, with a medium- to full-bodied, smooth texture and vibrant acidity. Godello wines also enjoy excellent aging potential.

Choose a Spanish white based on style and what you enjoy the most. Albariño and Verdejo offer zesty, fresh flavors; Godello and Garnacha Blanca are richer; Cava delivers bubbles; Moscatel brings sweetness. Look for top-rated producers or regions like Rueda and Rías Baixas.

Pair Spanish white wines with seafood like paella or scallops, tapas such as croquetas or marinated anchovies and cheeses like Manchego. Albariño shines with shellfish, Verdejo suits poultry or fresh greens and Cava is ideal for fried bites or cured meats.