One of the great wine nations of the Mediterranean, Spain has almost three million acres under vine – the highest of any country –  with their grapevines grown predominantly at altitude. The country boasts more than 400 grape varieties – mainly native – but only 20 grapes represent 80 percent of the total yield. The most popular lines are the white wine grapes Albarino and Macabeo and the reds Tempranillo, Spain’s ‘noble grape’, which is planted in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero districts, Garnacha and Monastrell and three cava grapes in Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo. Many varieties of sherry are produced in southern Spain, mainly using the Palomino grape