Andalusien (127)

3000 Years of Wine History in Andalusia

As early as the 11th century BC, the Phoenicians around Cádiz contributed to a flourishing period of wine production in Andalusia. This tradition was continued first by the Carthaginians and later by the Romans. During the time of the Moorish occupation, viticulture in Andalusia was almost at an end. Due to the alcohol ban in Islam, the vines were supposed to be destroyed, but the locals managed to prevent this by primarily producing raisins and other products from the grapes.

Six Classified Wine Regions for Andalusian Wines

The most famous wines from Andalusia are undoubtedly Sherry and Málaga wine. There are a total of six classified wine regions with the designation D.O. (Denominación de Origen):

• Jerez
• Málaga
• Sierras de Málaga
• Condado de Huelva
• Montilla-Moriles
• Manzanilla de Sanlúcar

Brief Descriptions of Andalusian D.O.s

The wines from the classified regions are by no means identical, but they share some commonalities. They generally have high alcohol content and are quite robust, making them particularly interesting as aperitifs or digestifs.

Jerez/Sherry

Among the most popular representatives of the genre is Jerez de la Frontera from the province of Cádiz. This typical Andalusian wine undergoes a very specific production process. First, a dry white wine is made from the Palomino grape and, after fermentation, is fortified with brandy, increasing the alcohol content from 11 to 13 to 15.5 percent by volume. To sweeten some Sherries are augmented with wines from the Moscatel or Pedro Ximenez grapes before bottling. The common designations for dry Sherries are Fino and Oloroso, for sweet to semi-sweet ones Pale Cream, Cream, and Pedro Ximénez.

Málaga Wine

The province of Málaga is located roughly in the middle of the southern coast of Andalusia. Málaga is commonly associated with the ice cream flavor of the same name. However, it is a sweet to semi-sweet wine from the Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel, and Airén grapes, which is also fortified with alcohol like Sherry. In the past, the grapes were dried before vinification, but this practice is no longer used. Málaga wine is often enjoyed after a hearty meal, but it is also used in fine dining to enhance dishes.

Sierras de Málaga

The wines from this growing region are an exception among Andalusian wines. Around Málaga, dry wines are also produced. Rosé and red wines are made from grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Romé, and Tempranillo, while white wines come from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Macabeo. Their share of the total production is still small, but the best wines are increasingly appreciated by connoisseurs.

Condado de Huelva

This D.O. is located in the west of Andalusia on the Atlantic coast. With over 80 percent of the vineyard area, the white grape variety Zalema dominates the region. From it, a Sherry-like wine called Condado Viejo is produced, as well as Condado Jóven, a young, fresh, dry white wine.

Montilla-Moriles

South of Córdoba lies the Montilla-Moriles wine region. On about 10,000 hectares, primarily the Pedro Ximénez grape is grown, followed by Moscatel, Verdejo, and Torrontés. The fermentation of these alcohol-rich wines occurs in large clay jars. Their color and taste resemble Sherry. Part of the grape must is also processed into Vino Jóven, table wine, and brandy.

Manzanilla de Sanlúcar

The dry white Manzanilla is made from the Palomino grape. The special feature of this wine is that during fermentation, a special layer of yeast - Spanish Flor - protects it from oxidation and is responsible for its unique character - a fresh, easy-drinking experience with slight acidity.

The Geographical Conditions for Andalusian Wines

Extensive areas of Andalusia are characterized by the Sierra Nevada and its foothills. Steep slopes alternate with gentle hills, whose soils primarily consist of limestone, sandstone, and clay. They supply valuable minerals and are good heat and moisture reservoirs that release these during the night or on dry days back to the vines. 

Due to the topography, the approximately 25,000 hectares of vineyard area is predominantly distributed across small vineyards and vineyards on the coast and at altitudes of up to 700 meters. The climate of Andalusia is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters with occasional abundant rainfall. On average, there are about 3,000 sunshine hours per year. 

Grape Varieties

In Andalusia, the vast majority of grapes cultivated are white. Due to the high temperatures in summer, they achieve a high must weight. This shapes the Sherries and the liqueur and sweet wines from Málaga, giving them their high alcohol content and typical oxidative taste. The most important grape varieties are:

• Palomino Fino, a very old white grape - the classic grape for Sherry.
• Pedro Ximénez, a white grape with very high must weight. It is the second most important grape variety for Sherry after Palomino.
• Moscatel, a Sherry grape with very fruity notes that thrives on sandy soils in a maritime climate.
• Zalema, an indigenous white grape primarily cultivated in the Condado de Huelva region, where it occupies the lion's share of the vineyard area.

Buy Andalusian Wines Online at VINELLO

We would like to invite you to try the popular wines from Andalusia. Browse through our selection at your leisure and find your new favorite wine at VINELLO today. We are proud to present a large assortment that includes wines from various parts of the world.

We place great importance on customer satisfaction. Therefore, we guarantee that your purchase with us is secure. Additionally, we ensure fast delivery so that your requested package reaches you without long waiting times. Feel free to make a consultation request to our sommeliers - we are happy to assist you!