Tempranillo closing gap on Airen as Spain's biggest grape variety

Tempranillo is close to overtaking Airen as Spain's most prominently planted grape variety as its volumes have boomed whilst Airen's are in serious decline, according to new figures between 2000 and 2010 released by the American Association of Wine Economics.

It shows that over the course of that decade plantings of Tempranillo went up by around 12,000 hecatres, compared to a fall in the levels of Airen by nearly 14,000. 

It meant that in 2010 total plantings of Airen stood at 252,364 compared to Tempranillo's 207,677. But the gap is closing all the time. 

The two varieties are by far Spain's biggest varieties with Bobal way back in third place in 2010 at 80,120 hectares. 

The AAWE figures over the decade also illustrate the slow move towards more international grape varieties at the expense of indigenous varieties.

Whilst Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc are all increasing, with the first three by over 1,000 hectares, there were declines for Garnacha Tinta, Bobal, Cayetena Blanca, Palamino Fino, Pedro Ximenez, and Chelva.

That said the top varieties in 2010 were still outside of Tempranillo and Airen:

3rd: Bobal 80,120 hectares

4th: Garnacha Tinta: 70,140

5th: Monastrelll 58,406

6th: Cayetena Blanca 39, 593

7th: Macabedo 38, 417

8th: Cabernet Sauvignon 22,237

9th: Syrah 20,000

10th: Alic Henri Bouschet 19,551