| From the green damp north to the arid south, Spain is the country with the most land under vine in the world. The country's regional diversity is reflected in her wines which range from light dry to heavy alcoholic reds. Spain's wine industry has benefited enormously from modern methods of winemaking, particularly since its entry into the European union in 1986. In an apparently short time, quality has improved beyond measure. 
Torres Winery
Classifications
Spain was the first country to have laws defining quality , yet its quality wine market is still very young. - Vino De Mesa
Equivalent of Frances Vin De Table - lowest level - Vino de La Tierra
Spain's equivalent of France's Vin De Pays - yet a term rarely used. - DO
(Denominacion De Origen) - equivalent of France's Appellation Controllee - regulating grape variety and region of origin. - DOC
(Denominacion de Origen Calificada) - this is the newest category. In 1991 Rioja was the first region to be promoted to DOC.
The heartland of the great Spanish reds is Rioja, Ribero del Duero and Navarra, while Catalonia is principally a white wine producing area, with lots of it being Sparkling Cava* - made by the champagne method. Spain | Rioja | Jerez (Sherry) | Other Regions
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|  | | | | Spain at a glance... 
Wineries: 5,500Area under vine:
1.2 million hectares Production volume per annum:
33 million hectolitres Main Regions:
- Jerez
- La Mancha
- Navarra
- Penedes
- Priorato
- Rias Baixas
- Ribera del Duero
- Ribero
- Rioja
- Rueda
- Somontano
- Valdepeñas
- Valencia
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