The Grenache grape varietal has its origins in the dry and arid regions of central Spain, where it continues to thrive to this day under the blazing sun of this region. However, its popularity and versatility has meant that these purple skinned grapes have spread all over the Old and New World and have become of the most widely planted grape varietals on earth. The tightly bunched, round fruit of the Grenache vine can be rigorous and prodigious in the correct conditions, but is often struggling against various types of rot and mildew. Thanks to modern techniques for avoiding such problems, Grenache grape farmers now enjoy strong and high quality yields which they can use to produce the distinctive light bodied and spicy wines associated with this grape.

Region: Cataluna

As one of the most important wine regions in Spain, and indeed in Europe, Catalunya has been producing fine wines for an astonishing length of time. Indeed, there is much archaeological evidence to suggest that grapevines were being cultivated in ancient Catalan vineyards in pre-Roman times, and possibly even before the Pheonician traders first set out to plant vines in many western European countries. Whilst Catalunya is possibly best known for its famous sparkling Cava wines, the two hundred or so wineries in the region actually produce a wide range of red and white still wines, made from plenty of different imported and native grape varietals. As such, Catalunya is a fascinating region for any wine lover, with plenty of enticing, quintessentially Spanish flavors and aromas to discover.

Country: Spain

For over two thousand years, Spain has been responsible for much of Europe's wine production, making the very best of native grape varietals, and more recently experimenting with and perfecting wines made from imported grapes. Of course, the region of La Rioja is renowned world-wide for the quality and characteristics of its wines, which benefit greatly from the warm, dry continental climate of the area, and the fertile soils of the Ebro river basin. However, there is far more to Spanish produce than the complex, aromatic and earthy red wine of this region, as a result of the vast range of wine making traditions and practices, and terrains and climatic conditions found across the country. The region Castilla y Leon produces some of Europe's finest white wines, and the sparkling wines of Cava and the sherries of Jerez are firm favorites for wine lovers around the world.