While on vacation in Spain, it is worth trying alcohol typical for this country. The first thing that comes to mind when traveling is wine. In the north of the country, however, excellent cider and beer are produced, which the inhabitants of Spain also eagerly eat. When traveling, it's best to try all the alcohols and choose your favorite one.
A short guide to the world of Spanish wines
Spain is one of the largest wine producers in the world. Each of its regions has its own vineyards, producing this alcohol for its own needs, but also for export. The most famous region is La Rioja, where about 250 million liters of wine are produced annually. There are over 500 vineyards and numerous processing plants and factories. Red wine predominates, accounting for as much as 85% of the total production.
During a trip to this part of Spain, it is worth taking part in wine testting route or wine route tours, where you can see several wineries and learn many interesting facts. You can also explore the region on your own by renting a 4WD car, but La Rioja is not only wine. There are historical monasteries and medieval churches in the surrounding towns. The Way of St. James, the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, also runs through this area. The combination of wine and culture of this region will amaze every visitor.
When it comes to the production of white wine in Spain, the area called Galicia has the largest share, where the climatic conditions are completely different than in the rest of the country. There are 5 wine appellations - Rias Baixas, Riberio, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrey and Valdeorras.
What else to try while in Spain?
Another popular alcohol in Spain is beer - often served with dinner or at a meeting with friends. On hot days, they are served with lemon Fanta or sparkling water in a proportion of half and a half. In Andalusia, the southern part of the country, the inhabitants most often reach for Cruzpampo, in the north for San Miguel, and in Galicia, the Estrella Galicia beer is the most popular. Mahou reigns in the center of the country, while Estrella Damm wins the competition in Catalonia.
Spanish cider on four routes
The pride of many Spanish communities is cider, often chosen for Christmas or birthdays. The most popular regions where you can taste this alcohol are Asturias, Euskadia (Basque Country), Cantabria and Lugo. In the first case, the cider is produced in an area called Comarca de la Sidra, consisting of six cities - Bimenes, Cabranes, Colunga, Nava, Sariegu and Villaviciosa. The second area produces 12 million liters of this alcoholic drink annually. Many drinkers prefer Cantabrian cider because of its sweet and slightly sour taste. A big competitor to these producers is Chantada in Lugo, where about 10 million liters of cider are produced annually. This factory produces not only a drink from apples, but also pears, strawberries and blackberries.
Spain is a country that offers various types of alcohol - from the most popular wine, through beer, to cider, so surely everyone will find something for themselves.