The Wines of Northern Spain: From Galicia to the Pyrenees and Rioja to the Basque Country (The Classic Wine Library)

Spain is Europe’s most exciting wine producer. Sarah Jane Evans, a leading authority on the wines of Spain, analyses the main regions, Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Navarra and Aragón, including profiles of the most interesting producers and their distinctive wines.

Although rightly famed for the wines of Rioja, the north of Spain has even more to offer the wine adventurer. Criss-crossed by rivers, its landscape ranges from the dramatic Pyrenees in the north-east to the low inlets of the Atlantic coast in the west. Growers – and consumers – can enjoy a diversity of terroirs and an exciting array of native varieties.

This introduction to the wines of northern Spain explores the changes, starting in the west, where the wineries of Galicia – from Rías Baixas to Valdeorras – have multiplied, while Bierzo is building a reputation for aromatic, refreshing reds, and Castilla y León is home to a growing number of individual, top quality producers. Traveling east, the success of Ribera del Duero has attracted investors from outside the region, all eager to gain a share of the limelight, while Aragón is busy building an international reputation for its venerable bush vine Garnachas. Across the country, a new generation is joining established producers in a remarkable blossoming of fine wines. Extensive producer profiles and established and well-known estates mingle on the page with newer makers and small producers to provide a thoroughly up-to-date and indispensable reference. For all wine enthusiasts keen to explore this region – whether in person or from a favourite armchair – The Wines of Northern Spain is essential reading.

Sarah Jane Evans MW is an award-winning wine-writer, journalist and speaker at conferences worldwide. She is co-Chairman of the Decanter World Wine Awards panel and a Trustee of the André Simon book awards. She judges at wine shows internationally. She is a former Chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine and current Chair of the Gran Orden de Caballeros de Vino. She is a certified Sherry educator and has received the awards of Dama de Albariño and Dama de Solear.