Spain

Spain currently has the largest area under vine in the world, although it only sits in 3rd place in volume terms due to relatively small crops from old vines planted in low densities in a mainly arid climate. A predominance of small growers, often forming co-operatives or selling their grapes directly to merchant vintners, makes finding good quality and interesting wines more of a challenge. The familiar Rioja wines often provide sanctuary, although Military Wines Limited can provide you with a superb range of alternatives, including Sherry.

Sherry is making a welcome comeback after many years in decline. The relatively new apéritif and food-friendly premium age-dated sherries and the pudding-friendly sweet sherries are a must to try or reacquaint yourself with. Prices are relatively keen too, whilst sherry seeks to rebuild its following.