Los vinos de alta gama clásicos en España

This chapter first studies the emergence of the first wineries producing premium wines in Spain in the second half of the 19th century. It then follows the evolution of this type of production during a period in which it did not manage to expand appreciably and which lasted until approximately the seventies of the twentieth century. Finally, the definitive consolidation of premium wines since the 1980s is examined. Special attention is paid to explaining how, during much of the period analyzed, neither the domestic nor the foreign market was favorable to the production of quality wines. In this context, the extraordinary adventure of a handful of innovators who did not settle for what was already in place and explored new avenues in winemaking stands out. The French influence on them, through various channels, has been highlighted.