2019 Wines From Spain Vintage Report Offers Overview for the Year

Expectations are high for both red and white wines from regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Rías Baixas

The 2019 Wines From Spain Vintage Report was recently released, offering an up-close look at each of Spain’s regions.

Broadly speaking, there are high expectations for red wines from Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Priorat, Ribera del Duero and Rioja and white wines from Rueda, Valdeorras, and Rías Baixas. Moreover, those vineyards that suffered from frost back in 2017 showed a full recovery.

Wines are expected to have good complexity and a strong varietal character, and red wines in particular will likely have round, smooth tannins. It’s also expected to be a great year for aged wines and potentially one of the best vintages of the decade.

As for the weather, disease levels were low in the vineyards and it was a warm year.

In Galicia’s DO Rias Baixas, Marisol Bueno, from Pazo de Señoráns, commented that “The wine on the lees smells fantastic” when asked about wine quality in 2019.

In Castile-León’s DO Bierzo, Mencía grapes were described as having “powerful aromas [and] intense color and flavors,” according to the regional report. In DO Ribera del Duero, a winemaker at Cruz de Alba highlighted the “impressive” health of the grapes, which are expected to yield exceptional wines.

And in Mallorca’s DO Binissalem, grapes were described as “extraordinary,” thanks to the weather, and volumes were buoyed by new vineyards.