D.O UTIEL REQUENA

The history

The Denomination of Origin was born in 1932 and wine is the main engine of the economy of this region.

But Wine has been made in the DO Utiel Requena for 2700 years. Archaeological sites found in the region show that there has been continuous production and trading of wine from the Iberian era to the present day.

Location, climate and terroir

The region Utiel-Requena is located 70km west of Valencia and therefore from the Mediterranean sea. It is a high plateau of destitute clay and limestone soil, with an altitude that varies from 600 to 900 meters. The climate is continental with a great Mediterranean influence: very cold winters and very dry and hot summers with scarce rainfall. The altitude and the sea’s influence give the wine their freshness, maturity and a authentic personality.

Varieties

The red grape varieties authorised are: Bobal (majority and native), Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
The white grape varieties authorised are: Tardana (also called Planta Nova, it is native), Macabeo, Merseguera, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Parellada, Verdejo and Moscatel de Grano Menudo.

Climate

The area has a continental climate influenced by the Atlantic, with wide temperature variations, both diurnal and also throughout the year.

Rainfall tends to be irregular with severe drought in the summer; winters are long and harsh with frequent frost and fog, with the predominant winds coming from the west and southwest.

The average annual hours of sun total 2,616, with a maximum of 371 hours in July and a minimum of 87 hours in December.

Average annual rainfall is 407 mm, occurring over 93 days per year. The average annual temperature is 12.2°C, with a temperature range of -6°C to 39°C.

Bobal grape

The Bobal variety is an indigenous Spanish variety with that dates back to the 14th century. It doesn’t exist a clear idea if it is a cross between grapes or a pure variety. It is considered native to the Utiel Requena area, although currently it can be also found in other bordering areas

The bobal is the emblem of Utiel-Requena. It is a very good grape to be grown organically. From the Bobal variety are made great rosés and red high quality aging wines. Its herbaceous aromas, some nuances of red fruit and mineral contrasts stand out. The tannins are usually well marked and it gives very complex mouthfeels.