Spain has always offered great value for money but it’s still surprising to see just what you can get for £20 or less from this famous wine producing nation. From vintage Cava and aged red wines to racy, Atlantic-Ocean kissed whites and world-beating Sherries there’s value to be found everywhere.
Best known for its Riojas – of both colours – Spain is also a go-to for great value traditional-method sparkling wine from the Cava DO, and increasingly for its refreshing white and rosé wines from all over. There’s even room in the mix for amphora-made Orange wines.
Spanish grapes
Looking at Spain’s white wines, as well as indigenous grapes such as Viura, Verdejo and Xarel-lo, you’ll find international varieties in the mix too, with Chardonnay and Grenache Blanc among them.
It’s a similar story with Spanish red wines – local grapes are dominant, but there’s room for varieties from elsewhere too. Bobal, Monsatrell and Tempranillo rub shoulders with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Grenache.
The UK’s supermarkets are a great place to find value from Spain and there are two supermarket own-label wines here, both sherries – a category where tremendous value can be found.
Morrisons ‘The Best’ Oloroso Dry is saline, spicy and herbal, while at the other end of the sweetness spectrum the Tesco Finest Pedro Ximénez is rich, syrupy and viscous.
As well as offering great value, these wines are also made with food in mind so will all – in their own way – be ideal to enjoy with a meal. The Bodegas Ojuel white Rioja would be perfect with grilled shellfish, for example, while the Baron de Ley Graciano begs for red meat and/or cheese. The possibilities are endless.
20 best Spanish wines for under £20
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Dominio de la Vega, Expression Brut, Cava, Utiel-Requena, Spain, 2018
91
A great festive fizz from Spain, fresh and zesty on the nose with a lovely, and seriously dry, palate comprising of rich citrus fruits, apricot and just the right amount of bitter orange peel flavours. Complex with a liveliness that makes it perfect for aperitifs as well as with food.
2018
Dominio de la VegaCava
Juvé y Camps, Singular, Cava, Catalonia, Spain
91
Singular is the latest addition to Juvé y Camps' range of single-varietal Cavas, made from 100% organic Xarel-lo. Spending 36 months in bottle, it shows evolved notes of toasted brioche and pastry, alongside attractive aromas of white fruit, candied peel and fennel. The palate has notes of toasty citrus and creamy lemon tart, with an interesting mineral/wet stone character and persistent bubbles.
Juvé y CampsCava
Augustí Torelló Mata, Brut Reserva, Cava, Catalonia, Spain, 2017
90
A blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo from organic vines aged 30-40 years. Subtle aromas of green apple, apricot pastries and ripe lemon. Evolved honeyed notes on the palate, alongside fresh apple and lemon citrus, with a creamy texture, gentle bubbles and a fresh lift of grapefruit acidity on the finish. Good value for money. Organic and suitable for vegans.
2017
Augustí Torelló MataCava
Waitrose, No1 Cava Castillo Perelada, Penedès, Spain, 2018
90
As so often with Cava, you get good bang for your buck here, and even more when on offer at £7.99 (1st December to 2nd January). Made by the Champagne method, this is made from the traditional grapes used for Cava (Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo), from old vines. It's Brut in style, with 8g/L residual sugar, and has an expressive yeasty and warm leesy character, with good acidity and elegant lemon citrus notes.
2018
Waitrose
Bodegas Valdemar, Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria Blanco, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
This pure old-vine Viura from limestone-dominated soils in the Finca Alto Cantabria is one of Rioja's greatest bargains, and among its most ageworthy whites, fully...
2019
Bodegas ValdemarRioja
Bodegas Ojuel, Carrasojuela, Rioja, Rioja, Spain, 2019
Rising star Miguel Martínez sources his grapes from an old parcel at 600m on the slopes of the Moncalvillo. This is Viura-based with a field...
2019
Bodegas OjuelRioja
Aldahara, Rasé Chardonnay, Somontano, Aragón, Spain, 2018
Fresh orange peel, potpourri, heady orange blossoms, green peppercorns, and a wealth of perfumed aromatics. Structured on the palate, but not overwhelming, with a nice...
2018
AldaharaSomontano
Viñas del Vero, La Miranda Secastilla Garnacha Blanca, Somontano, Aragón, Spain, 2018
Light white pear and pear, bitter melon, minor grapey notes and juicy lime on the nose. Very crisp acidity on the palate with continued green...
2018
Viñas del VeroSomontano
Jean Leon, Vinya Gigi Chardonnay, Penedès, Spain, 2018
91
Gigi is one of Spain's first Chardonnays, made from a 5ha vineyard planted in 1971. Bright lemon and lime citrus aromas, with a vanilla edge and peppery notes. Lovely freshness and verve on the palate, with plenty of fruit: pineapple, lemon, a hint of banana. Time on lees adds s creaminess to the texture, balanced by vibrant acidity. Only 1,500 cases produced.
2018
Jean Leon
Loxarel, A Pèl, Penedès, Spain, 2016
Xarel-lo’s exuberant ripe apple fruit sings loud and clear in this tinaja-fermented and aged version, bottled unfiltered with no added sulphur. The nose feels wild...
2016
Loxarel
Bodegas Julián Chivite, Las Fincas Rosado Fermentado en Barrica, Vino de la Tierra 3 Riberas, Navarra, Spain, 2018
The Las Fincas range is a collaboration between Julian Chivite and chef Juan Mari Arzak, so no surprise that this is a gastronomic wine. This...
2018
Bodegas Julián ChiviteVino de la Tierra 3 Riberas
Bodegas Nodus, Chaval Rosado, Valencia, Spain
91
Delicate cherry notes on the nose. Fresh and fruity with an attractive raspberry yoghurt character and quince fruit on the palate. A very pleasant, in-the-sun drink; refreshing.
Bodegas Nodus
Izadi, Larrosa, Rioja, Spain, 2019
90
Made from old-vine Garnacha planted at 790m, this Rioja Rosado takes its cue from Provence with a pale salmon colour and pretty strawberry and cherry aromatics. The palate has more body than the delicate nose suggests, with a textured mouthfeel. Red berries and ripe stone fruit notes are balanced by grapefruit and lime citrus, with a stony mineral bite to the finish, plus fresh, palate-cleansing acidity.
2019
Izadi
Altolandon, Extreme Bobal, Manchuela, Spain, 2018
93
Pure blueberry and red cherry fruit, with underlying cherry liqueur and oiled leather characters. The texture is silky and velvety with slight grip from ripe tannins. Fruity, rich, and intense flavours are perfectly balanced with a hint of oak and crunchy acidity.
2018
Altolandon
Jean Leon, Vinya Le Havre Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Penedès, Spain, 2015
92
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Cabernet Franc, limited production from a 16ha vineyard planted in 1968. Spicy black fruit aromas, with hints of plum and red fruits, black pepper and a savoury edge. Aged in a mix of French and American oak (10%) which adds a toasty complexity and structure to the palate of spicy cassis, with leathery notes, some minty freshness on the long finish.
2015
Jean Leon
Obergo, Expression Garnacha, Somontano, Aragón, Spain, 2017
Powdery dried red cherries, cracked black pepper, chalky notes, dried lemon peel and a touch of plum on the nose. Fresh, crisp, very engaging and...
2017
ObergoSomontano
Tapa Roja, Old Vines Monastrell, Yecla, Spain, 2019
91
Yecla's hot, arid climate is perfect for ripening Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre and Mataro) to give dense, dark, meaty reds – and this one gives lots of bang for your buck. Bold but not too extracted, it has chewy tannins, herbal lift and refreshing acidity. One for a hearty casserole. In store only.
2019
Tapa Roja
Baron de Ley, Graciano, Rioja, Spain, 2018
90
A rather special Rioja red made with 100% Graciano. The indigenous variety gives the wine a nose of sour cherry and earthy sweet herbs. Aged in American oak barrels for 15 months, it has a vibrant palate of red cherry, vanilla and assorted sweet spices, lifted by decent acidity and a solid tannin backbone.
2018
Baron de Ley
Neleman, Valencia, Spain, 2018
90
Finely scented with flowers and plums. And then it's all about prunes & mocha on the palate with bright herbal notes. Soft, chewy, long, fresh and very enjoyable; quite a classic, aged style of red.
2018
Neleman
Morrisons, The Best Oloroso Dry, Jerez, Spain
92
Aged in American oak casks, this dry Oloroso is amber coloured, with pronounced nose of orange zest, marmalade, banana and dried apricot, on top of caramel and a soy sauce undertone. Very savoury palate of umami, almonds, hazelnuts and dried tangerine peel, spiced up by wood and herbal notes. Saline and nutty notes lingers on.
Morrisons
Tesco, Finest Pedro Ximénez NV, Jerez, Spain
90
PX is made from sun dried grapes aged oxidatively in a Sherry solera system. It's so rich, syrupy and viscous that one glass will be enough – trust me. Many experts recommend pouring it over good quality ice cream, and that simple dessert usually goes down very well at dinner parties! The dark, raisiny, dried fruit flavours are the perfect winter warmer. Serve chilled.
Tesco