The Spanish wine revolution: Torres Viña Sol
Viña Sol emerged from an isolated Spain in the 1960s, where inexpensive, near undrinkable wine (to modern tastes) reigned supreme. Miguel Torres returned from studying wine in France to the region of Penedès in Catalunya, where he could employ the winemaking and vine growing techniques he had learnt. The impact of the wine he created was vast; he modernised the Spanish wine industry and made the Penedès region quickly establish itself as a source of bright, clean, fruity wines. It is no wonder that Torres scores consistently high amongst the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands award by Drinks International, topping it recently in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024!
Freshness is the key to this wine, a wine designed for Mediterranean sun and hot weather, it is a real crowd pleaser. The wine is mostly a blend of Parellada (one of the key grapes in Cava) and Garnacha Blanca which help create a blend of citrus and floral flavours, whilst providing the necessary level of acidity to keep it smooth and zippy. In 2020 Viña Sol won a prestigious Decanter award, recognising it for the fresh, bright fruit flavour that makes the wine so special.
You can also now get bag-in-box version of Vina Sol 1.5L
Mostly comprised of Garnacha and Cariñena, it is both dry and delicate, with the classic focus on freshness and purity of fruit. Raspberry and strawberry flavours dominate, leading into a gently spiced finish, whilst a quenching acidity really lifts the palate.
A more recent installment in the Viña Sol lineup to sweep the nation is the Sauvignon Blanc. It is made in a crisp, Mediterranean style.
A rich, buttery Chardonnay, a style that has been creeping back into fashion and rightly so. This spends 5 months in oak and is partially barrel fermented, giving it a weightier, more decadent edge over the other wines in the range.
Following the growing popularity of lower alcohol, this Vina Sol 8% is lighter in body and flavour, but maintains that fresh, fruity style nicely. Just like the Vina Sol, less alcohol.
This blog was written by our wine expert, David Andrews. Read his Instagram blog @oinosattheoikos
Updated 25/03/2025