Almería at a glance Location: province of Almería, Andalusia, in southeast SpainStatus: Vino de la Tierra (IGP), with five designated areas in the provinceClimate: sunny and very dry, with warm days and cool nightsAltitude: vineyards from about 350 to 1,200 metresGrapes: including Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Garnacha and MacabeoPairs with: grilled meat, tapas, fish and dishes with bold flavoursWhat makes Almería special? Almería is one of the driest and sunniest wine regions in Europe, and the vines grow high in the mountains with cool nights. As a result, the wine combines plenty of ripeness with fresh acidity.
Winemaking in the region goes back thousands of years. Today the province has just over 1,000 hectares of vineyard, spread over about twenty wineries. It is a small wine region with many small producers. There are five Vino de la Tierra areas (IGP): Laujar-Alpujarra, Ribera del Andarax, Desierto de Almería, Norte de Almería and Sierra de las Estancias y Los Filabres.
What are the climate and soil like in Almería? The climate is sunny and very dry, with warm days and cool nights. Those cool nights matter for the wine, because they keep the acidity in the grapes fresh.
The vineyards lie at different altitudes. The Desierto de Almería area sits at an average of about 525 metres, while vineyards in the Alpujarra lie above 900 metres, on terraces between the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Gádor. In the Almanzora valley in the northeast of the province, vineyards lie between 800 and 1,200 metres. The soils are often made up of clay, loam, slate or sandstone.
Which grapes are used in Almería? Both Spanish and international grapes grow in Almería.
For red wine, grapes such as Syrah, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Monastrell are used, and also Garnacha , which is used for rosé as well. Among white grapes, Macabeo is used, including from high-altitude vineyards.
What does wine from Almería taste like? Red wine from Almería tastes full and powerful, with dark fruit, spice and often a touch of chocolate or smoke. White wine from the high vineyards is fresher, with tropical fruit, flowers and a mineral finish, and rosé is fresh and fruity. The sun gives ripe, full wines and the cool nights give freshness.
Which wines from Almería can you buy at ONWINE? Right now the Almería wine at ONWINE comes from Bodega Sierra Almagrera , a winery at the foot of the Sierra Almagrera in the Almanzora valley. The red clay-loam soils there come from rock of the former silver and iron mines. The winery's vineyards lie at different altitudes, from about 350 to 1,200 metres.
Fresh: white and rosé The Sierra Almagrera Macabeo Blanco is made from 100% Macabeo from vineyards at about 1,200 metres in the Alpujarra. It ages in stainless steel and for two months on the lees, and has tropical fruit, fennel, flowers and a mineral note. Serve it at 8 to 10 °C.
The 'Antas' Garnacha Rosé is made from 100% Garnacha from vineyards at 400 metres. The grapes get a short, cold maceration and the wine ages for two months on the lees in stainless steel. Serve it at 8 to 10 °C as well.
Powerful and spicy: red The 'Antas' Syrah is made from 100% Syrah from vineyards at 400 metres and ages for four months on the lees. It has black fruit, spice and chocolate and goes well with grilled meat. Serve it at 14 to 16 °C.
The Sierra Almagrera Crianza Tinto is a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, Monastrell and Garnacha. It ages for twelve months in French oak and then another year in the cellar, and has wild strawberry, mountain herbs and cinnamon.
The 'Antas' Petit Verdot ages for twelve months in French and American oak and then at least twelve months in the bottle. It is a dark, powerful wine that is best served at 13 to 15 °C.
Oak-aged top class: Caballo Español The Caballo Español Silver Edition is a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Monastrell from vineyards at 350 metres. It ages for twenty-four months in oak, 80% French and 20% American, and has forest fruit, spice, smoke and floral notes with fresh acidity.
The Caballo Español Gold Edition 2021 is a blend of Syrah, Tempranillo and Malbec from hand-harvested grapes. It ages for twenty-five months in French oak and then at least three years in the bottle. The label shows a horse made of real gold leaf, which also makes it a lovely gift.
Which one suits you? You like fresh white wine. Choose the Macabeo Blanco.
You want a fresh rosé. Choose the 'Antas' Garnacha Rosé.
You like powerful, spicy red wine. Choose the 'Antas' Syrah or the Petit Verdot.
You want red wine with red fruit and spice. Choose the Crianza Tinto.
You want a special bottle for a special occasion. Choose the Caballo Español Silver or Gold Edition.
You want to taste first. Choose the Almería Tasting Case , with white wine, rosé and red wine.
What food goes with wine from Almería? Red wine from Almería goes with grilled meat, lamb, stews and aged cheese. White wine and rosé go with fish, shellfish, tapas, salads and grilled vegetables.
Buy Almería wine at ONWINE At ONWINE you buy wine directly from the winemaker, and on our winemakers page you can read who is behind the wine. Shipping is free from 12 bottles from the same winemaker. You can find more white wine in our Spanish white wine , more red wine in our Spanish red wine and more rosé in our rosé wine .
View all Spanish wine →
Frequently asked questions about Almería wine Can wine grow in the desert? Yes, wine has been made in Almería for a very long time. The vineyards often lie high, up to more than 1,000 metres. It is much cooler there at night than during the day, and that helps the grapes stay fresh.
What is a Vino de la Tierra? Vino de la Tierra is a Spanish designation for wine from a specific area and falls under the European IGP (protected geographical indication). The rules are looser than for a DO. This gives winemakers more freedom in the grapes and the way they work.
At what temperature do you serve wine from Almería? Serve white wine and rosé chilled at 8 to 10 °C. Serve red wine slightly cooler than room temperature, at about 14 to 16 °C.
How long can you keep wine from Almería? White wine and rosé are best drunk in the first two to three years. Powerful, oak-aged reds can often last five years or longer. Store the bottles lying down, cool and dark.
