United Wine Merchants

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Spain & Portugal

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Spain & Portugal

Spain

Europe’s third-largest wine producing country, Spain is the country with most land under vine in the world. It has a wine industry
blessed with a blend of tradition, innovation and ideal climatic conditions, that have pushed it to the forefront of the fine wine scene
in the last decade. The most widely planted grape variety is Tempranillo, whose elegance forms the backbone of all great Riojas.
Foreign grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Chardonnay are increasingly important, especially in Catalonia and Navarra.
The Spanish are shedding their traditional image with innovative restaurants, modern wine styles and new wineries. Outside of Rioja
there are a wealth of fantastic winemaking projects in Spain. Their winemakers have produced superb-value wines from some
of the most exciting new areas, combining modern wine styles, native grape varieties and the great individual terroirs of Spain.

Key grape varieties

Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Shiraz, Viura (Macabeo),
Verdejo, Albarino, Chardonnay

Key regions

Rioja, Rueda, Ribera del Duero, La Mancha, Bullas, Penedes, Rias Baixas, Catalunya,
Campo de Borja, Calatayud

Portugal

Long known for its production of Port, Portugal also has a strong reputation for well established and top quality Rosé Wines. Portugal has the oldest appellation system in the world, the Douro Valley. This region and Vinho Verde region,
in the Northwest produces some of the world’s finest, unique and highest value-added wines. Portugal is home to one of the greatest
international wine success stories of modern times. That is the production and marketing of medium sweet, lightly sparking rosés. In the
late 1980s, Mateus accounted for over 40% of the country’s total table wine exports and was especially popular in Europe. Lancers
wine is better known in the United States, where it continues
to be successful.

Key grape varieties

Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Trincadeira, Alvarinho, Arinto, Loureiro

Key regions

Vinho Verde, Douro, Dao, Alentejo