In the past 15 years no European wine-making country has undergone such a leap forward in the variety and quality of its wines as Spain. Barely 20 years ago it was a challenge to find Spanish wines in the US from beyond Rioja; today Spanish wines from over a half dozen regions are available. Today, wine names like Mencia, Penedes, Riberera del Duero, Yecla and more are becoming much better known and appreciated. It's also heartening that this wine renaissance is being achieved largely with native Spanish grape varieties. Among the big changes are improved techniques in vine cultivation and vinification, allowing these formerly lesser known regions bring their wines to a grateful and appreciative international audience.