FAMILIES OF Spain

More than 600 varieties of grapes are planted in Spain's dry soils, but 80 percent of the country's wine production stems from only 20 grapes. Winemakers in Spain prefer to use the word "elaborar"� (to elaborate) rather than "fabricar"� (to make) when describing their approach, which is steeped in tradition and includes aging some wines in oak barrel for up to two decades � resulting in very unique flavors, such as Rioja.



For more information on Miguel Torres, voted 2006 European Winery of the Year by the Wine Enthusiast, see the family link at left.