Go-to Spanish wines recommended by the Decanter team
Who better than staff members from across the various Decanter departments to share their drinking inspiration? Eleven from the team, including Spain Regional Editor Ines Salpico, have picked Spanish wines that they enjoy and recommend heartily for your enjoyment any time of the week – priced at up to £25 a bottle.
Sparkling
Raventós i Blanc, Conca del Riu Anoia Blanc de Blancs, Penedès, Catalonia
Recommended by Ines Salpico
£25.99 Hay Wines, Hedonism, Hic, WineTrust
Why? Produced from Macabeu, Xarel.lo, Parellada and, since 2023, Malvasia de Sitges. Crunchy fruit, a flinty lining and delicious texture make this an elegant yet no-nonsense fizz – very much like its winemaker Pepe Raventòs.
When? I love opening this on a Saturday afternoon while cooking. It then transitions easily into the first course of a fish dinner.
With whom? With my partner, while preparing a meal together.
Paired with? All things seafood, soft cheeses, freshly baked bread dripping with olive oil. Oysters are a must.
White
Altos de Torona, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Galicia
Recommended by Shivani Tomar
£15-£19 Highbury Vintners, The Vineyard Belfast, Waitrose
Why? With its fresh citrus, floral notes and a gentle toastiness, this value Albariño feels both effortless and quietly complex.
When? Friday evening ritual after the school run with a fellow mum, the perfect way to ease into the weekend.
With whom? Best shared with friends who appreciate a glass that feels special but not too serious. For me, it’s really a wine I would happily open with anyone who loves good conversation and a relaxed moment.
Paired with? It works so well with simple things: crisps or hummus and guacamole dips are a perfect match.
Baron Amarillo, Specially Selected Godello, Bierzo
Recommended by Tina Gellie
£9.99 Aldi
Why? Guaranteed to please, especially at this price. Ripe yellow peach, apple and blossom aromas continue on the creamy palate, which has bursts of citrus and a lingering mineral tang. Delicious.
When? It’s ideal to have in the fridge in case friends drop by, but also perfect by the glass to enjoy as a post-work refresher.
With whom? It has a zesty brightness that Sauvignon Blanc-loving friends will enjoy as an aperitif, but also the round palate weight that will surprise those wanting a rich Chardonnay over dinner.
Paired with? An all-rounder, but I enjoy it with a pasta dish of lemony prawns, roasted fennel and courgette.
Beronia, Verdejo, Rueda
Recommended by David Longfield
£12 Majestic, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose
Why? This gives the full character of the Verdejo grape; picking is in two phases, fermented in stainless steel and concrete. It’s bright and easy, with peachy melon and honeyed lemon broadened by baked pear and fresh green apple, and on the finish a subtle note of fennel herb and a little lift of menthol enhancing the freshness.
When? An anytime wine, good with lunch, as an aperitif or with any lighter meal.
With whom? I’ve recommended this to my brother and it’s always gone down well with his friends and work colleagues at his firepit barbecue evenings.
Paired with? On its own or with salads, seafood, white meats, rice and peas or cheese and crackers.
Loxarel, Cora, Penedès, Catalonia
Recommended by Elie Lloyd Ellis
£16-£20 Widely available via UK independent merchants
Why? Bursting with honeysuckle, tart white peach, white pear and hints of rosewater, all balanced by refreshing acidity and a note of minerality, this wine – a dry blend of Moscatel and Xarel.lo – always evokes happy memories of holidays in Penedès.
When? Delicious as a warm-weather aperitif but equally enjoyable to lift the spirits any time of year.
With whom? Great to kick off an evening outdoors as we cling to the last throes of summer (blankets at the ready).
Paired with? Oysters, clams and prawns (preferably in a seafood market) or ceviche and sushi.
Red
Alma de Unx, Garnacha, Navarra
Recommended by Amy Wislocki
£13.45 Corney & Barrow
Why? A great-value, everyday drinking red, fresh and full of fruit: sappy mulberry and forest fruit juiciness. A really youthful and joyous wine, it shows the quality on offer from the best co-ops these days.
When? It’s delicious served slightly chilled, so perfect in warm weather. But really anytime I want an easy-drinking red that can be enjoyed on its own in front of the TV, or with food.
With whom? Because it’s so fresh and easy to enjoy, I like offering this to friends who find ‘bigger’, more tannic reds tricky.
Paired with? This one’s an easy companion to many dishes, but my favourite is to serve it with cold cuts, or gammon.
Celler Masroig, Les Sorts Jove, Montsant Catalonia
Recommended by Natalie Earl
£15-£17.50 Bottle Apostle, Good Wine Good People, Jaded Palates, NY Wines, The Solent Cellar, Vinoramico, WoodWinters
Why? From this high-quality cooperative comes a light, joyful red made from 76% Garnacha and 24% Cariñena in a ‘nouveau’ style – bursting with fruity berry pleasure. You really don’t have to think too hard about enjoying this wine, it’s like that friend who exudes charm and puts everyone at ease when they walk into a room.
When? It’s so versatile, but I tend to keep this chilled to enjoy as a thirst-quenching sip at the end of a work day as it’s so crunchy and fresh.
With whom? Pouring myself a solo glass of this tasty, drinkable red is an exquisite pleasure that I relish after a busy day.
Paired with? Honey-roast carrots and harissa chickpeas – the fruity berry notes in the wine pick up the floral spices in the dish and let them soar.
El Pacto, Ojo Gallo, Rioja
Recommended by Ines Salpico
£16 The Wine Society
Why? A bright field blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo, Viura, Malvasía and other varieties, with energy and delicacy in equal measures. Approachable yet complex, it’s such a joy to drink and the perfect example of how traditional, no-nonsense Rioja is so unpretentiously contemporary.
When? Whenever I want guaranteed satisfaction in the form of a glass of something uncomplicated yet interesting. Or when I want to bring something to a dinner party that defies expectations, starts conversations, is utterly delicious – and doesn’t break the bank.
With whom? The ‘barbecue gang’ (they’ll love it); the friends that work in finance (they’ll be puzzled, and love it); the friends that work in design (who will appreciate the great label).
Paired with? Gordal olives, salted almonds, roasted vegetables, fish tacos. Pizza! It’s so versatile.
Envínate, Albahra, Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha
Recommended by Rupert Millar
£23-£25 Cave, Iron & Rose, Parched, Sip Wines, Salusbury Winestore, The Sourcing Table
Why? A juicy, endlessly quaffable but still substantial blend of Garnacha Tintorera and (more obscure) Moravia Agria. It’s bursting with succulent fruits of the forest and a lovely undercurrent of wild herbs, an invigorating flash of acidity and streak of slightly chalky minerality. Immensely satisfying, it ticks all boxes for me.
When? This works 100% of the time, regardless of occasion.
With whom? A good one to impress your wine-wise friends. But it’s so supremely drinkable that you could also use it to wean a less-adventurous acquaintance off their habitual bottle of ‘Generic Brand Red’.
Paired with? By itself in good company, perhaps with some nibbles on the side. It would be a good switch with a roast dinner in place of Pinot Noir – dare one even think Christmas lunch itself?
Ramón Bilbao, Crianza, Rioja
Recommended by Laura Bianco
£11-£13.99 Sandhams, Tesco
Why? This is an approachable crianza, fresh, super-drinkable, but also so elegant yet with a structured mouthfeel. It’s a great example of what modern Rioja can be: uncomplicated but still classical and deep.
When? It’s an ideal everyday drinker. Perfect for a glass at the end of the day, for an easy midweek dinner or a weekend get-together. Reassuring and comforting, it never disappoints.
With whom? With my partner or a small group of good friends. This is a wine for casual intimacy.
Paired with? A plate of freshly made pasta, a cheese and charcuterie platter or a toasted sandwich dripping with cheese. Simple, authentic pleasures.
Sherry
Diatomists, Amontillado 12 Year Old, Jerez
Recommended by Julie Sheppard
£19-£23/37.5cl Widely available via Diatomists & UK independent merchants
Why? I’m a huge Sherry fan and fell in love a while ago with the Diatomists – new- wave producers who work with selected growers and put as much emphasis on terroir in their Sherries as the solera system. Their whole range is excellent, but this vibrant amontillado is my favourite, thanks to its combo of rich, rounded flavours and electric acidity, with a lipsmacking saline finish that makes my mouth water just thinking about it…
When? Aperitivo. When I get back from the office, I’ll enjoy a glass with smoked almonds or crisps, as I start making dinner.
With whom? My Sherry-loving friends really appreciate this, and it’s even scored a few converts from the Sherry-sceptics.
Paired with? This is such a food-friendly wine, but my favourite pairing would have to be a plate of really good-quality Jamón Ibérico. Heaven!
Fernando de Castilla, Fino en Rama Saca Primavera 2024, Jerez
Recommended by Claire Cocks
£22-£22.50 NY Wines, The Solent Cellar
Why? Nutty and moreish, this is the wine that changed my mind on fino Sherry. Gentle flor notes of burnished camomile, a streak of lemon drizzle cake and ryebread, rounded off with an incredibly long chestnut and liquorice finish.
When? A chilled glass of this one marks the beginning of the weekend; its flavours are a lovely halfway-house between summer and autumn.
With whom? Pulling up a stool at my favourite Cambridgeshire wine bar (NY Wines in Great Shelford), a glass of this always provides the perfect pairing to a catch-up with friends.
Paired with? Smoked almonds, slices of Jamon Ibérico and Manchego cheese – you can’t do much better!
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