Spain’s best-known wine areas, Rioja and Ribera del Duero, are properly established on the worldwide stage. However past them lies a wider map of producers working in diversified and sometimes difficult circumstances.
The 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) outcomes supply a window into this wider image, showcasing numerous standout wines from lesser-known areas throughout the nation.
Within the far northwest, Ribeira Sacra and Bierzo are identified for his or her dramatic landscapes and Atlantic affect, producing contemporary, structured reds typically from outdated vines and on steep, terraced vineyards. Over in Catalonia, within the northeast, Priorat and neighbouring Montsant present a extra Mediterranean character – Priorat particularly identified for its slate soils and concentrated, ageworthy wines.
Inland areas reminiscent of Calatayud and Campo de Borja in Aragón, and the arid plateaus of Castilla-La Mancha within the central south, mix continental climates with excessive elevations, supporting sturdy reds and more and more polished winemaking, though in Somontano, the place producers typically discover a mixture of native and worldwide grapes, this 12 months’s standout is a youthful purple constructed round contemporary aromatics and vibrant fruit.
Additional south, Jumilla and Montilla-Moriles, the latter in past Rioja and Ribera Andalucía, display how varieties reminiscent of Monastrell and Pedro Ximénez thrive in dry, sun-drenched circumstances, producing daring but balanced wines.
Scroll down to find 14 prime DWWA 2025 winners
White wines additionally characteristic on this 12 months’s choice, with sturdy examples from Penedès, in Catalonia, and Valencia additional south on the Mediterranean coast.
Indigenous varieties reminiscent of Xarel.lo and Merseguera are used to make textured, mineral-driven whites that supply freshness and character. Collectively, these areas illustrate the range and dynamism of Spanish wine past its most well-known names.
The vary of kinds, grape varieties and rising circumstances displays a rustic nonetheless deeply rooted in custom however more and more assured in its regional expression.
See this 12 months’s DWWA 2025 outcomes and uncover the world’s greatest wines at awards.decanter.com
Greatest in Present
Don Bernardino, La Capona, Amandi, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia 2019
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
donbernardino.com
Anybody who’s seen photos of (or, higher nonetheless, visited) the terribly steep granite vineyards of Ribeira Sacra will open this bottle with a way of reverence: it’s more likely to have been made with extra sweat, effort and muscle than another wine in our Greatest in Present choice (although little question Priorat runs it very shut). The Mencía grape selection doesn’t at all times give deeply colored reds, although a measure of this wine’s focus and pressure might be learn in its black-red hue. Regardless of the 2 years it has handed in oak, it’s nonetheless the powerfully peppery purple fruits that dominate the aromas of this practically six-year-old. It’s deep and nearly apothecary in flavour – which means that its wild damson and sloe fruits have a natural or root-spice be aware to them. The acidity stays vibrant and juicy, and the peppery tannins carry additional life to this hard-won present of nature. Alcohol 14.5%
Vall Llach, Mas de la Rosa Gran Vinya Classificada, Priorat, Catalonia 2023
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
vallllach.com
The purity and finesse of this concrete-aged wine makes a convincing case for Cariñena because the pre-eminent selection for Priorat; and, contrariwise, for Priorat because the world’s biggest location for Cariñena/ Carignan. It’s additionally a plaudit for concrete ageing – in egg or in any other case. The wine’s aromas are much less fruity than most; it’s a type of wines that appear to odor as a lot of a panorama as of fruit. It’s solely two years outdated, but the ageing has been so efficiently managed that it has the seamlessness and concord of a a lot older wine. On the palate, it’s refined, sleek and shawl-like, stuffed with lingering dark-fruit depth however counterbalanced by the wine’s unstrenuous cashmere tannin and insinuating, palate-lapping acidity: extraordinary finesse for a spread that’s typically thought to be workmanlike elsewhere. Alc 15.5%
Bierzo
Almazcara Majara, Demasiado Corazón 2023
Gold, 95 factors
almazcaramajara.com
Exuberant layers of white stone fruit, inexperienced apple and grassy herbals are enriched by a pervading freshness and quenching grapefruit acidity. Fleshy, supple and lengthy. Alc 13.5%
Catalayud
Las Pizarras, Viña Castejón Garnacha 2023
Gold, 95 factors
raicesibericas.com
Traditional plum and raspberry fruit with smatterings of untamed herbs and violet florals. Vanilla toast marks the palate, underscored by brisk acidity and a protracted, savoury end. Alc 14.5%
Campo de Borja
Alto Moncayo, Veraton Garnacha 2022
Gold, 95 factors
bodegasaltomoncayo.com
Plentiful notes of cherry blossom, purple plum, cinnamon and cocoa submerge a palate that boasts vivid acidity, pliant tannins and a shiny spine of oaky allure. Alc 16%
Castilla-La Mancha
Dehesa del Carrizal, Petit Verdot, Vino de Pago 2022
Gold, 96 factors
dehesadelcarrizal.com
An illuminating array of plum, blueberry and mulberry fruit furnished with pencil shaving and liquorice depth. Mouthfilling and plush with vibrant acidity and tremendous mocha tannins. Alc 14%
Jumilla
Casa de la Ermita, Monastrell-Petit Verdot Roble 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
casadelaermita.com
Sturdy plum and blue and black berry fruit aromas with a natural, floral undertone cushioned by a lipsmacking chocolate oak core. Very contemporary, elegant and juicy. Alc 14.5%
Montilla-Moriles
Alvear, Tres Miradas Paraje de Riofrío Alto 3er Año 2021
Platinum, 97 factors
alvear.es
A formidable type, with fennel, dried almonds and herbs, a mineral construction and an intriguing textural grip. Quenching and saline, with swathes of toasted nuts on the end. Alc 13.5%
Montsant
Cellers Unió, Perlat Garnatxa 2023
Worth Gold, 95 factors
£15.50 Decántalo
Awash with juicy, mouthwatering flavour: contemporary strawberry compote interlaced with darkish berries, cherries and plums, underpinned by savoury, earthy tones. Lengthy, properly outlined and pure. Alc 14.5%
Penedès
Vallformosa, Cultivare Xarel.lo 2020
Gold, 96 factors
vallformosa.com
Daring, ripe peach and apricot notes with flecks of camomile and white flowers. Textured and broad with a tremendous beam of acidity and a fleshy fruit end. Alc 12%
Priorat
Familia Torres, Salmos, Porrera 2021
Gold, 96 factors
POA £ John E Fells
A punchy fragrance of cranberries, plums and strawberries steeped in fragrant thyme, marjoram and rosemary. Supple and weighty, with a mineral construction and a persistent end. Alc 14%
Somontano
Leo & Niné, Compartir Joven 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
leoninewines.com
Attractive violet and rose petal aromatics are adopted by an thrilling crunch of early- season bramble fruit, garnished with white pepper. Properly structured, with a protracted end. Alc 13.5%
Valencia
Vegamar, Huella de Merseguera 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
vegamar.es
Good floral, crunchy apple and zesty white grapefruit aromas leap out of the glass, endorsed by the citrus acidity, limpid texture and enveloping natural end. Alc 12.5%
Cherubino Valsangiacomo, De Sant Jaume Malvasía 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
valsangiacomo.es
Tantalising pear, apple, apricot and peach aromas underscored by tingling notes of grapefruit, lemon and lime. Vivid and crisp, with a prolonged natural end. Alc 12%
