Origins of Spanish Wine - Part III

Link to Spanish wine Origins - Part I

Link to Spanish wine Origins - Part II

In the 17th and 18th centuries saw the popularity of special Spanish wines such as Sherry prosper.  However, the advent of the European Industrial Revolution in the 1700's saw a major decrease in the popularity of Spanish wine in comparison to other wine-making countries such as France.  Luckily for Spain, once the 19th century rolled around, the phylloxera epidemic hit many European vineyards, especially those of France, yet Spain did not get hit hard until the mid 19th centuries.  During this period, the French traversed the Pyrenees and brought several methods to Spain, including the oak barrica which was used for wine aging until they switched over to American oak around the time the epidemic hit.  The fact that the phylloxera epidemic and the Industrial Revolution hit Spain much later in both instances could are several of the key factors as to why the international popularity of Spanish wine today bloomed much later in comparison with those wines from France and Italy.

The beginning of the 19th century also saw the rise of Spanish sparkling wines, especially Cava wine.  The popularity of Cava wine and the amounts produced nearly rivaled that of Champagne for a while.  The phylloxera epidemic and the constant civil and political unrest that haunted Spain throughout the early 1900's that ravaged many vineyards put a halt to the growth all Spanish wine.  Further economic troubles in combination with World War II, where European exports were briefly blocked off, further damaged the Spanish economy, as well as the growth of the Spanish wine industry.  However, the first foundations of the D.O. system were established under the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera in 1926.

In between WWII and the Spanish transition to democracy in 1975 (after the death of General Francisco Franco) was the rebirth of the Spanish wine industry.  Large co-op wineries were formed and bulk wine exports, such as Chablis, were developing a good market, and the well-known Sherries and Rioja wines were making their comebacks as well.  The establishment of democracy enhanced economic freedom within Spain which in turn only further enhanced Spanish wine prospects as exports, as well as the Spanish middle class, grew.  The acceptance of Spain into the European Union in 1986 gave these wines an even better market.  By then, the great reputation of Spanish wine was beginning to be restored as their signature wines were becoming more favored abroad, rightfully replacing the bulk wines as the major Spanish wine exports  This was due to the increased focus on wine quality in comparison with quantity.