Like their neighbours to the north and east, Spain is regarded as one of the top wine producing countries in the world. With sizzling hot summers and cooler winters, Spain’s weather and geography is ideal to produce outstanding wines across the board. With over 140 official wine designations you can’t miss the countless wineries tucked away in a picture-perfect paradise.

To the northeast, surrounded by lush green valleys in the mountains and hugging the coastline, the regions of Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra and Bierzo are the ideal places for such varieties as Albarino and Godello, the perfect match for fresh fish dishes and tasty garden salads.

Heading slightly south, we stumble upon the Ebro and Duero River Valleys where, if you've started exploring Spanish wines, you've likely had a bottle or two of Tempranillo. Tempranillo is the most planted red grape in Spain, and it appears under a few names, including Tinto Fino, Tinto de Toro, Cencibel, Ull de Llebre, and Tinto del País.

The Mediterranean Coast is a dream setting for many, no surprise given that it’s the home of cava and Priorat. Whether there is something to celebrate or you simply fancy something bubbly, cava is a great option. A blend of Xarel-lo, Macabéo and Parellada grapes, it is produced using the same methods as they do in Champagne, and is by no means lower in quality.

Finally, we reach southern Spain and the region of Andalucía, most famous for producing sherry. For the perfect before or after dinner accompaniment, sherry offers a wide range of styles; the misconception that all sherries are sweet is far from the truth! For a drier style, look out for the following: Fino; Amontilado; Palo Cortado; Oloroso. For those looking for something a little sweeter, Pedro Ximénez is the way go to.