While northern Spain benefits from warm summers and cool winters, south and central Spain has a dry, sunny, hot climate. This lends itself to a great variety of wine regions. To date, Spanish authorities recognise over 40 wine growing regions, each with their own characteristic wines. Among the less known regions of Spain there are four that deserve the attention of wine consumers. Somontano, Priorato, Navarra and Toro represent excellent value for fine tasting wine.

Somontano sits at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains, dividing Spain and France to the east. Volcanic rock, chalky and sandy soils are combined with warm summers and mild winters, which make the region ideal for vineyards. This fact was realised by Roman legionnaires, who were the first to plant vines in Somontano, but the production only started to thrive only after 1985 when authorities granted status to the region.

Grenache, tempranillo, viura, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and gewurztraminer have been planted in Somontano with very good results. Priorato is a small region with a spectacular landscape. Its rocky, mountainous vineyards have been producing wine quietly for centuries, yet attracting very little attention. Grenache, carinena, merlot, and shiraz (syrah) are the most successful grape varieties.

In the past decade, Priorato’s red wines have gained cult status. The wines are dark, aromatic and full-bodied, and offer ripe tannins and high alcohol. They say that once you taste your first glass of a well-crafted Priorato wine, you will want to enjoy many more. Navarra used to be a powerful kingdom between France and Catalonia. The climate is influenced by both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean. Navarra regions are Valdizerbe, Baja Montana, Ribera Baja, Ribera Alta and Terra Estella. Here, grenache, tempranillo, graciano, viura, macabeo, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc thrive. Navarra’s grenache rose wines are particularly noteworthy, but must be consumed within a year of harvest to enjoy their subtle fruitiness and lively acidity.

Toro, located just west of Ribera del Duero, used to be more famous than Rioja for its powerful red wines that were exported to many countries in the 19th Century. Back then, vineyards were uprooted and converted to wheat fields for political reasons. It is only in the last 15 years that Toro vineyards have been revitalised and millions were invested to restart a potentially lucrative wine industry. Tempranillo, Spain’s most important and flavourful red grape, thrives and yields great wines in Toro. Despite the fine wines produced, Toro’s wines are still reasonably priced and great choices for any Sunday roast.