Viticulture in Spain plays an important role, because the country has the largest vineyard area in the world. Approximately 1,200,000 ha of vineyards are cultivated by about 150,000 winegrowers in almost 5,000 bodegas (wineries) and bottling plants. From more than 250 grape varieties, wines in various styles and qualities are pressed. Although Spain is better known as a red wine country, 50% of the area is planted with white grape varieties. Spain is clearly the largest white wine producer in the world. The 15 most common grape varieties are according to a data collection from the year 2000:

* Airen (white) with 338.635 ha, tendency strongly falling
* Tempranillo (red) with 112.950 ha, tendency strongly increasing
* Bobal (red) with 92.630 ha
* Grenache = Garnacha (red) with 86.800 ha, tendency strongly falling
* Monastrell (red) with 65.100 ha
* Pardillo or Pardina (white) with 51.572 ha
* Macabeo or Viura (white) with 32.905 ha
* Palomino or Listán blanco (white) with 29.845 ha
* Mencía (red) with 11,330 ha
* Pedro Ximénez (white) with 11.115 ha
* Cayetana Blanca (white) with 10.743 ha, rising strongly
* Chelva (white) with 10,711 ha
* Parellada (white) with 10,415 ha
* Mazuelo (red) with 9,470 ha
* Xarel-lo (white) with 9,227 ha