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PREMIUM

Spanish indigenous whites: Panel tasting results

It’s hard to keep up with Spain’s dynamic white wine scene, and this tasting showed why, as the lesser-known varieties grabbed their chance to shine.

David Williams, Matthew Forster MW and Ines Salpico tasted 87 wines, with 3 Outstanding and 44 Highly recommended.

Spanish indigenous whites: Panel tasting scores

87 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 3

Highly recommended 44

Recommended 39

Commended 1

Fair 0

Poor 0


Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release, 100% varietal white wines produced from any Spanish native grape variety, and available in the UK priced up to £40 retail


This fascinating tasting featured as many as 19 grape varieties, and that in itself tells a story about the changing face of Spanish white wine. A decade ago, I doubt there would have been anything like the same base level of quality – or even sufficient examples of some of the varieties involved to make such an extensive tasting possible at all.


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the Spanish indigenous whites panel tasting


Spanish indigenous whites panel tasting scores

Wines were tasted blind


The judges

David Williams is wine correspondent for The Observer, a regular contributor to Decanter on all things Spanish, and a widely published wine writer, author and competition judge.

Matthew Forster MW is an independent wine consultant and education specialist, and founder of The Wine Partnership. A former director at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, he has a particular passion for the food and wine cultures of Spain and Portugal.

Ines Salpico is Decanter’s Special Projects Editor. Born in Portugal, where she has a small vineyard and olive grove, she moved to London eight years ago after stints in New York and Barcelona. Before joining Decanter, she worked as a sommelier, educator and consultant.


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