If there’s one thing that Spanish winemakers are brilliant at, it’s identifying a region that has been ignored, forgotten or underestimated–then fulfilling its potential. Obvious examples would be Ribera del Duero, Priorat or more recently the Sierra de Gredos.

Spanish red wines get a lot of press for being good values, but shopping in the Spanish wine aisle can be as daunting if you aren’t sure what grows where within the world of Spanish wines. Many of Spain’s best red wines are labeled with the name of the wine appellation, rarely by grape variety. At its most simplistic, Spain can be divided into three “bands” for red grape varieties and wines. The Tempranillo grape variety excels in wines from central and northern Spain, Garnacha (Tinta) in wines from northeastern Spain and Monastrell in southeastern Spanish wines. If you’ve ever felt completely overwhelmed while browsing a Spanish wine section, knowing just a few key wine names will help keep your shopping trip focused and ensure that you have the perfect wine to drink at a moment’s notice.