10 Sep Southern Spain Wine: From Ancient Roots to Modern Tastes
The name Andalucia conjures up many things. Fiery flamenco, exquisite Moorish architecture, sun-soaked landscapes dotted with white villages, mouthwatering small plates of tapas, and sweet, fortified wines.
Yet over the past few decades, a quiet revolution has been taking place in the vineyards.
Southern Spain wine is no longer associated solely with sherry. Small producers have been hard at work, adapting the rich and varied terroir to cultivate a mosaic of grape varieties. Now, the bodegas of Andalucia are giving the well-known wine regions of northern Spain a run for their money with an impressive array of dry whites, rosés, reds and sparkling wines.
As boutique travel specialists from Andalucia, we’ve been keeping a close eye on this thriving wine scene. Join us as we uncork the secrets of southern Spain wine.
A Brief History of Wine in Southern Spain
Spain’s wine heritage is one of the oldest in the world – and it all began down in Andalucia. It’s believed that the Phoenicians were the first to plant vineyards on our shores, in the fertile lands of Cadiz around 1100BC. Wine production continued to flourish under Roman rule, with wine from Andalucia exported around the Roman Empire.
Despite the Koran prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, wine production continued into the Moorish period. The Moors found creative ways to justify drinking wine, with medicinal purposes often cited (we think that’s an excellent reason to sip a glass or two!). By the 15th century, Andalucian wine was shipped to appreciative drinkers around Europe, with England among its greatest fans (notably sack – an old name for sherry – along with sweet Malaga wines).
With the Spanish colonisation of the Americas and the growth of Cadiz as a major trading hub, southern Spain wine was soon exported across the Atlantic, too. Vines were taken over as well, which helped to jump-start wine production in the Americas.
Drastic changes were afoot in the late 19th century however, as Spain’s vineyards were thrown into crisis with the arrival of phylloxera. This American vine root louse first appeared in Bordeaux in 1868, spreading to Spain some 20 years later. Vineyards were decimated and had to be slowly replanted using American rootstock, which was immune to the pest’s deadly bite.
Innovation and Experimentation: Southern Spain Wine Today
Over the last few decades, Spanish wine has undergone somewhat of a revolution. Across the country, wineries have been modernised, winemakers are boldly experimenting with innovative styles and techniques, and there’s been a surge of investment in organic viticulture and sustainability. Today, Spain is one of the world’s top wine-producing countries, celebrated for its diverse and dynamic wines.
This renaissance is perhaps most striking in the bodegas of Andalucia. The southernmost and hottest part of the country, the region is home to over 40,000 hectares of vineyards spread over 20 regions. These are housed within a number of Denominaciones de Origen (DOs), of which the best known are:
- Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO: The most famous DO in Andalucia, this is the birthplace of sherry. Chalky white terroir, hot, dry summers and cooling Atlantic breezes create the perfect conditions for everything from dry Fino and nutty Amontillado to lusciously sweet Pedro Ximénez, all matured using the age-old solera system.
- Montilla-Moriles DO: With its unique albariza soil (rich in chalk) and arid inland climate, this DO is best known for Pedro Ximénez. Wines generally have a more intense flavour than those from Jerez, due to differences in climate and winemaking techniques, while the region has a burgeoning reputation for expressive whites and some red varieties, too.
- Malaga & Sierras da Malaga DO: Technically two separate appellations. Malaga’s sun-baked vineyards are renowned for their decadent Muscatel and Pedro Ximénez dessert wines, brimming with honeyed intensity. Meanwhile, adventurous winemakers produce excellent dry whites (especially Muscat) and some elegant, high-altitude reds including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo from the rocky terraces of the Sierras de Malaga.
- Condado de Huelva DO: Located by the mouth of the Guadalquivir River and cooled by Atlantic breezes, this appellation is best known for wine made from Zalema, an indigenous white grape. Less well known internationally, it’s used for a variety of styles from nutty, fortified wine to light and fresh dry whites that offer the perfect complement to local seafood.
More than a Drink: The Role of Wine in Andalucian Culture
Wine in Andalucia (indeed throughout Spain in general) is much more than a drink. It’s an integral part of Andalucian culture, a way of life that’s been perfected over centuries, signifying connection and tradition.
You’ll rarely see a Spaniard sipping a glass of wine on its own. Pop into any bar during tapas hour and you’ll see groups of families and friends, chatting and laughing. Wine is always on the table – a crisp glass of Fino, a chilled Manzanilla or something richer like Amontillado. Alongside the animated conversation, small plates of food are brought to the table – olives, jamon, chunks of cheese, grilled black pudding or deep-fried anchovies. It’s a key ritual, part of the very fabric of Andalucia’s vibrant social culture.
From late August to October, Andalucia is abuzz with vendimia – the grape harvest. The air is filled with excitement, and entire villages are transformed into open-air celebrations. Local festivals feature traditional music, flamenco dancing, and elegant horse parades, all washed down with copious glasses of the freshest vintage. Locals and visitors alike gather to revel in the community spirit and participate in age-old traditions such as grape stomping.
Wine tourism in Andalucia has really come into its own in recent years, rivalling more famous regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero for visitor appeal. There’s a wide range of experiences on offer, from historic sherry bodegas with museum sites to innovative mountain wineries serving crisp reds and whites, and family-run cellars in white villages.
However, Andalucia offers a more intimate experience than some of the more established wine areas. Wander through working vineyards, meet passionate winemakers to chat about their grapes, terroir and winemaking style, and enjoy local food during tastings. This immersive experience offers a true flavour of what makes southern Spain wine so special.
Discover Southern Spain Wine with Just Explore
If you’d like to discover the secrets of southern Spain wine, join our Andalucian Wine Tour. Running annually every autumn to coincide with the grape harvest, this small group tour introduces you to the diverse wines of southern Spain and gives you a flavour of Andalucian wine and culture.
This specialised southern Spain wine tour provides exclusive access to a number of wineries, from the historic bodegas of Jerez and Montilla to the rising stars of Ronda and Malaga. Meet the winemakers, learn about local wine traditions, and sip and swirl your way through a diverse selection of southern Spain wine, from aromatic sherry to expressive whites and elegant reds.
This tour is about more than just wine, too. Enjoy guided tours of some of the region’s most famous destinations, including Cordoba and Ronda. Explore historic and natural wonders, immerse yourself in Andalucian culture with flamenco and horse shows, and savour the marriage of wine and food with paired lunches, tapas tours and local produce tastings.
To find out more about our wine tour in southern Spain or to book a spot on this coveted small group tour, contact Just Explore today.
If you prefer a private tour, we can help you there too. Get in touch and tell us what pleases your palate and we’ll arrange a tailor-made tour especially for you.
