Country Guide: Spain

Spain is a hugely rewarding country to wine tour in. The hospitality of the bodegas is second to none, the countryside in all the wine regions is wonderfully unspoilt and tasting a range of 'tapas' in a colourful bar, with the locals and a glass of wine is always great fun – you can be in no doubt that you are in Spain!

One of the most interesting things about Spanish wine is its individuality with robust wines being made from native grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha and Carinena. That is not to say that there are not also some superb wines made from 'international' varieties, especially Cabernet and Merlot, which has been here in any case for 300 years!

There are quality vineyard areas from North to South and from West to East, so Spain makes for a good country to wine tour in if you have time to spare, or you simply just want to spend a day or two in one region using one of the many new flight routes.