Spain

Spain has been making wine since the time of the Phoenicians and has the world's largest area of land under vine. Until quite recently though, just about the only wines available on anything other than a local basis were those of Jerez (Sherry) and Rioja. Over the last 20 years, this has all changed thanks to a combination of tourism, huge foreign investment and the arrival of modern wine-making technology. It seems that Spain's principal red grapes, Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache), are just perfect for today's tastes.

Previously unheard-of regions such as La Mancha and Jumilla are now producing some of the most exciting, innovative and, better still, competitively-priced wines on the market. Meanwhile, the classic regions (these days, include Navarra and Ribera del Duero which join Rioja on that list) have become better than ever, producing a string of first-class vintages in recent years. Keep your eye on Spain, for it seems that every couple of months, superb wines are putting minor regions into the spotlight.

Long gone are the days when Spain was thought of as a purely red-wine country. White Rioja is resurgent, no longer flabby and over-oaked but crisp and fruit-driven, and regions such as Rueda and Rias Baixas are producing outstanding modern-styled whites from fascinating, traditional varieties. Spain may be the "old man" of European wine, but it is once again at the cutting edge.