These Are the Spanish Wines in Decanter’s 2023 Best Wine List

Getting a spot on prestigious wine magazine Decanter’s 2023 Wine of the Year list is every winemaker’s desire, and this year 6 Spanish wines made the grade. The list is organized into 3 categories: classic wines, offbeat wines, and best value-for-money.

In the classics category, one of the top scorers was Bodegas Hidalgo’s La Gitana Manzanilla En Rama, a fortified Jerez DO wine from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz, Andalusia) from an historic winery. Another one was Equipo Navazos’’ I Think Amontillado, made with Pedro Ximénez grapes from Montilla-Moriles DO. The third is Pazo Señorans’ Albariño 2022, a white wine from Rías Baixas DO, and the fourth is Castillo de Cuzcurrita’s Cerrado del Castillo 2017, a DOCa Rioja wine that is only made in years of premium vintage.

In the value category, the top scorers were Bodegas Hidalgo’s Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada, and Juvé & Camps’ Reserva de la Familia Cava Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2018.

In 2022, Decanter also selected five Spanish wines in its ‘Top Scorers’ List. There were De la Riva’s Vino de Pasto Macharnudo 2019 (Jerez), Bodegas Muriel’s Viña Muriel Black Reserva 2013 (DOCa Rioja), Remírez de Ganuza’s Olagar Gran Reserva Blanco 2014 (DOCa Rioja), López de Haro’s Classica Gran Reserva 2004 (DOCa Rioja) and San Francisco Javier Viña Corrales Fino 2021 (Jerez DO).

2021 was another great year for Spanish Wines in Decanter’s Best of the Year List with six selections: Gran Reserva 890 2005 and Gran Reserva 904 2011 from La Rioja Alta S.A. (DOCa Rioja), Mas del Serral Brut Nature 2009, Barón de Ley Tres Viñas Reserva Blanco 2018 (DOCa Rioja), Cillar de Silos Crianza 2018 (Ribera del Duero DO) and Lustau 30 Years Old Palo Cortado (Jerez DO).

Spain is home to one of the best wine industries in the world, with more than 1.2 million hectares dedicated to wine growing. It is the second-largest producer in the world, trailing only Italy but surpassing both France and the US. Many Spanish wines from its various wine regions are also certified with DO, PDO, DOCa status.

It’s also hope to more than 400 grape varieties, although the vast majority of Spanish wine is made from 20 different grapes, among them Bobal, Garnacha, Verdejo, Tempranillo, Macabeo, and Parellada.