🇪🇸SPAIN–The Levante

GEOGRAPHY– Iberian Peninsula Coast(East), COUNTRY-Spain

  • REGIONS-Valencia & Murcia, AKA=Leventine
  • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~
  • BETWEEN-Catalunya & Andalusia
  • “Middle Ground Between Continental Interior(Meseta Central) & Coastal Plain.”

🇪🇸VALENCIANA–Valencia

VALENCIANA IS–   DOC.– 8     @Valencia

  • BLANCO= Moscatel Romano AKA=Muscat(de Alexandria), Macabeo, Merseguera,  Mando, Parellada, Pedro Ximenez, Tortosi AKA=Bobal Blanc, Trepadell, Verdejo, Verdil, Xarel-lo
    • –International– Chardonnay, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petits Grains), Sauvignon Blanco, Viognier
  • TINTO= Bobal(Indigenous), Bonicaire, Forcalla, Garnacha Tintorera AKA=Alicante Bouschet, Garnacha, Giro, Manto, Monastrell, Montalvana, Moristel AKA=Arcos, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah

GEOGRAPHY– Spain(East Coast), REGION-Valenciana, South of Catalunya“Region”

  • PROVINCES-Alicante, Valencia, Castellon,  +Latitude(39.4°‘N’)
  • BORDERS-Cataluna(North-East), Aragon(North-West), Castilla-La Mancha(West), Murcia(South)
  • Sub-Zones/ DO.’s– Alicante DO., Alto Turia DO., Utiel-Requena DO.(Laps), Valencia DO., Valentino DO.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Plateau”

  • SLOPES/ Sistema Iberico, Sistema Betico, +Altitude(150mt. to 1,200mt.)
  • On~Jucar/ Segura~Rivers~

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Fluvial at Low-Lands, Calcareous

CLIMATE– “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influence

  • +WINDS~~Leveche~(Originates…North Africa)

VITICULTURE– ? ha. Planted

VINICULTURE–

  • DOBLE PASTA- Technique For Producing Dry, Dark Red, High Alcohol, Full Body Wine by Bleeding Off a Portion of Macerating Juice or Newly Fermented Wine and Replacing it With More Crushed Grapes. In Order to Increase or “Double”, the Ratio of Grape Skin to Juice of Remaining Wine.
    • Doble Pasta is a Method to Produce Extremely Full Body Wines and as a Byproduct There is a Bleeding Off of Wine Which is Enjoyed as Rose.
  • CAVA- SPARKLING…Method/ Traditional
    • Cava is Produced In +150 Villages In Spain, Including Regions of Valencia, La Rioja, Extramadura, but the Majority and Spiritual Home of Cava is Catalunya

CULTURE– Phoenician Wine History Dating Back to 6th. Century BC.

  • GASTRONOMY… Sea Food, Paella, Orange, Tubers AKA=Tiger Nuts
    • CHEESE PAIRING…

**Refer to “SPAIN/ Home” For Detailed Information On Spain as a Country.

**Valenciana Wine Map Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase Maps at Delongwine.com

UTIEL-REQUENA DO.     @Requena, Utiel

  • BLANCO= Macabeo, Merseguera, Parellada, Tardana AKA=Coma/ Planta Nova, Verdejo, Xarel-lo
    • –International– Chardonnay, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petit Grain), Sauvignon Blanco
  • TINTO= Bobal(Indigenous) 70%, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana(East), West of Valencia-City(60km.)
    • VILLAGES- Camporrobles, Candete de las Fuentes, Fuenterrobles, Requena, Siete Aguas, Sinarcas, Utiel, Venta del Moro, Vilargordo del Cabriel
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Plateau”
    • ON PLATEAU/ Meseta Central, SLOPES/ Juan Navarro Mountains, +Altitude(597mt. to 900mt.)
    • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~Sea~(Near/54km.), On~Magro~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”
    • Terracotto(Alluvial Riverbed, Clay, Limestone)
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences, +Diurnal Shifts
  • VITICULTURE- 34,000 ha. Planted, (22% White/ 78% Red)
      • **History of Bush Trained, Old Vine.
    • Estate/ Producers- Aranleon, Audiencia, Bruno Murciano, Carres, Casa Sofa, Chozas Carrascal, Covinas, Dominio de la Vega, Dussart Pedron, Faustino Rivero Ulecia, Finca San Blas, Marques de Colbert, Montesanco, Murviedro, Lo Necesario, Nodus, Pago de Tharsys, Paraje Tornel, Pasion de Bobal, Santerra, La Senda del Caballo, Sierra Norte, Toro Loco, Torre Oria, Valsangiacomo, Vegalfaro(60ha.), Vera de Estenas, Vibe, Vicente Gandia, Vinos la Higuera
    • Vineyards- Finca San Blas, Ladera Fuenteseca
  • VINICULTURE- Joven,  Crianza,  Reserva,  Gran Reserva,  Superior
    • Bobal Alta Expresion(Single Varietal Bobal)
    • Doble Pasta,  Espumoso/ Xampany
    • Cava Producing Sub-Zone In Utiel-Requena.
  • CULTURE- Phoenician Wine History Dating Back to 6th. Century BC.
    • 1957- DO. Officially Established.
  • GOING THERE- Wine Museum- Palacio del Cid Wine Museum.
  • CAVA DO.
    • BLANCO= Chardonnay, Macabeo, Xarel-lo
    • TINTO= Pinot Noir
    • GEOGRAPHY- REGION-Valenciana(North), East of Valencia-City, Near Coast(70km.)
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling”, ON PLATEAU/ ?, +Altitude(900mt.)
    • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” with “Continental” Influences
    • VITICULTURE- ? ha. Planted
    • VINICULTURE- SPARKLING…Method/ Traditional @Requena
      • Estate/ Producers- Dominio de la Vega, Enotec Val Conde, Hispano Suizas, Sierra Norte
  • VINO De PAGO
    • Los Balagueses–
    • Chozas Carrascal–
      • Vineyards- La Alcaldesa, Alijibe, La Carrasca, Casilla de las dos Puertas, La Caseta de Emilio, La Loma, El Olivar, Pico del Aguila, El Pedregal, La Pinada, Real, La Trufera, La Vaguada
    • El Terrerazo-(Bodega Mustiguillo)
      • Geography- +Alt. 800 mt.
    • Vera de Estenas-
      • Bobal de Estenas
    • **Refer to “SPAIN/ Home” For Detailed Information On Vino de Pago’s.

VALENCIA DO.     @Valencia

  • BLANCO= Arcos, Macabeo, Malvasia, Merseguera, Moscatel(de Alejandria), Planta Fina, Pedro Ximenez, Tortosi, Verdego, Verdil

    • –International– Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petit Grain), Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier
  • TINTO= Bobal, Bonicaire, Forcalla, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera AKA=Alicante Bouschet, Manto AKA=Garro, Monastrell, Moristel AKA=Arcos, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana(North), East of Valencia-City(   km.)
    • “Non-Contiguous(3)”,  Sub-Zones- Alto Turia, Clariano, Moscatel, Valentino
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(150mt. to 1,200mt.), On~Turia~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
  • VITICULTURE- 14,000 ha. Planted,  (47% White/ 53% Red)
    • Estate/ Producers- Anciano, Anecoop, Casa lo Alto, Celler de Roure, La Comarcal, Delmoro, Fil.loxera y Cia, Los Frailes, Javier Revert, De Moya, Muriedro, Mustiguillo, Neleman, Nodus, Pago Casa Gran, Rafael Cambra, Risky Grapes, Valsangiacomo, Vegamar, Wines n’ Rose
    • Vineyards- Finca Calvestra(6 ha.)
  • VINICULTURE- CAVA– SPARKLING…Method/ Traditional
    • Cava is Produced In +150 Villages In Spain, Including Regions of Valencia, La Rioja, Extramadura, but the Majority and Spiritual Home of Cava is Catalunya
  • CULTURE- 1957- DO. Officially Established.
  • SUB-ZONES Of VALENCIA
  • ALTO TURIA DO.      @Chelva
    • BLANCO= Macabeo, Merseguera
    • TINTO= Bobal, Tempranillo
    • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, In Valencia DO.(North), @Hw.#CV35
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(700mt. to 1,200mt.)
      • On~Turia~River~
    • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”, Cooler From Altitude Influence
    • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Calcareous
    • VITICULTURE-  ?  ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Baldovar 923
    • CULTURE- UNESCO~ ~Biosphere Reserve~
  • VALENTINO DO.     @Casinos
    • BLANCO= Merseguera, Macabeo
      • –International– Chardonnay, Semillon
    • TINTO= Garnacha, Tempranillo
      • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
    • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, In Valencia DO.(Central)
      • North-East of Valencia-City(   km.), @Hw.#CV35
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”,  SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(200mt. to 750mt.)
    • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
    • VITICULTURE-  ?  ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- El Villar(Co.Op.)
    • SUB-ZONES Of VALENTINO
      • CHESTE & MARQUESADO–
      • CAMPOS De LIRIA SERRANIA–
  • MOSCATEL DO.     @Godelleta
    • BLANCO= Moscatel
      • –International– Moscatel(de Grano Menudo), Sauvignon Blanco, Viognier
    • TINTO=
      • –International–
    • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, In Valencia DO.(Central-Interior)
      • @Hw.#A3
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(150mt. to 400mt.)
    • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
    • VITICULTURE-  ?   ha. Planted
    • VINICULTURE- Sweet,  Fortified
      • Estate/ Producers-
  • CLARIANO DO.     @Fontanars dels Alforins
    • BLANCO= Malvasia, Merseguera, Trepadell, Tortosi, Verdil
      • –International– Moscatel(de Grano Menudo), Sauvignon Blanco, Viognier
    • TINTO= Garnacha, Monastrell, Tempranillo
      • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
    • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, In Valencia DO.(South), @Hw.#A35
    • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(400mt. to 700mt.)
    • CLIMATE– “Mediterranean”
    • VITICULTURE-  ?   ha. Planted
      • Estate/ Producers- Javier Revert, Pablo Calatayud, Sant Pere(Co.-Op.), Vinos de la Vina
    • SUB-ZONES Of CLARIANO
      • VALL D’ALBAIDA–

ALICANTE DO.     @Alicante

  • BLANCO= Airen, Macabeo, Malvasia, Merseguera, Moscatel(de Alejandria), Planta Fina, Subirat, Trepadell, Verdil
    • –International– Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Monastrell 65%, Bobal, Forcalla, Garnacha, Garnach Tintorera, Giro, Montalvana
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY– Spain, REGION-Valenciana(South), “Non-Contiguous(3)”
    • Sub-Zones- La Marina Vinalopo, Alto Vinalopo, Alt de Benimaquia
    • CITIES-Vinalopo
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Montgo Mountain, Penya Forada, +Altitude(20mt. to 650mt.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Sandy Loam, Ferrous Clay
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean”
  • VITICULTURE- 10,400ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Abanico, Artadi, Baldovar 923, Casa Agricola(Pepe Mendoza), Casa Balaguer-Vinessens, Celler del Roure, Enrique Mendoza, Les Freses(8ha.), Gutierrez de la Vega & Curii Uvas y Vinos(3.5ha.), Pepe Mendoza(14ha.), Vincente Gandia, El Vivero de Usaldon, Volver
    • Vineyards- Marina Alta, El Veneno(5ha.)
  • VINICULTURE- Fondillon- Monastrell, Unfortified, Solera, +Aged– +6-+10 yr. “Solero”
    • Mistelle- Adding Neutral Grape Spirit to Must Rather Than Fermenting Must to Produce Alcohol
      • Mistelle Wines Yields a Sweeter Style (Because Fructose Has Not Been Converted to Alcohol) This Leads to a Wine More Fruity.
  • CULTURE- 1957- DO. Officially Established.
  • SUB-ZONES Of ALICANTE
    • La MARINA VINALOPO–
    • ALTO VINALOPO–

🇪🇸SPAIN–Murcia

MURCIA IS–  DO.- 5     VP.- 0    @Murcia

  • BLANCO= Airen, Macabeo, Malvasia, Merseguera, Pedro Ximenez
    • –International– Chardonnay, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petit Grain), Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Monastrell, Cencibel AKA=Tempranillo, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah

GEOGRAPHY– Spain(South-East), REGION-Murcia, +Latitude(37°‘N’)

  • PROVINCES-Murcia, Valencia, Alicante
  • Sub-Zones/ DO.’s– Bullas DO., Jumilla DO.(Laps), Yecla DO.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”

  • SLOPES/ Cordillera Prebetica Range, +Altitude(400mt. to 800mt.), On~Gualalentin/Segura~Rivers~

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”

CLIMATE– “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influences

VITICULTURE– ? ha. Planted

  • CHALLENGES/ Drought

CULTURE– AGRICULTURE– Marcona Almonds, Figs

**Refer to “SPAIN/ Home” For Detailed Information On Spain as a Country.

JUMILLA DO.        @Jumilla

  • BLANCO= Airen, Macabeo, Malvasia, Pedro Ximenez, Moscatel(de Alexandria), Verdejo
    • –International– Chardonnay, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petit Grain), Sauvignon Blanc
  • TINTO= Monastrell 80%, Cencibel AKA=Tempranillo, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera AKA=Alicante Bouschet
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Castilla-La Mancha, (Laps)Murcia“Region”(45%)
    • PROVINCES-Albacete, Murcia, MUNICIPALITY-Jumilla
    • Near Coast/ Mediterranean Sea(60km.), @Hw.#A-30
    • CITIES-Albatana, Fuente Alamo, Helin, Jumilla, Montealegre del Castillo, Ontur, Tobarra
    • BORDERS-Almansa DO.(North), Yecla DO.(North-East)
    • Sub-Zones- Carche Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley/ Plateaus”,  ON PLATEAU/ Meseta Central
    • SLOPES/ Beatic Cordillera/Tobarra Mountains(Sierra del Carche), +Altitude(400mt. to 900mt.), (Surrounded by Mountains)
    • Transition-Zone-BETWEEN-Coast & Central Castilian Plateau
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Marine Origin, Calcareous, Limestone(Brown), Sand, Clay, ~No Phylloxera~
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+20°Variation)
  • VITICULTURE- 17,900 ha. Planted, (8% White/ 92% Red), High Percentage of Bush Vines.
    • Estate/ Producers- 1890, Alceno(*1870), Altos de la Hoya, Arloren, Asensio Carcelen, Bleda, BSI-Bodegas San Isidro(Co.-Op./*1934), Carchelo, Casa Castillo(174ha.), Cerron, Delampa, Ego, Encarnacion(Co.-Op.), Esencia Wines, Fernandez, Luzon(*1841), J. Garcia Carrion, Juan Gil, Las Gravas, Madrid Romero, Mainetes, El Nido, Lo Nuevo, Olivares, Ontalba, Pio del Ramo, Salzillo, San Dionisio, San Isidro(Co.-Op.), Santiago Apostol, Sierra Norte, Silvano Garcia(*1925), Torrecastillo, Venta de las Cuevas, Vina Elena, Xenysel
  • VINICULTURE- Tinto(+85% Monastrell),  Blanco,  Rosado
  • CULTURE- 1966- DO. Officially Established.
    • FESTIVALS~ ~Fiestas de la Vendimia~(August)
    • GASTRONOMY … Rice With Rabbit and Snails, Relleno/ Pelotas(Chicken Meatballs), Pan Fried Baby Goat
  • GOING THERE-  ~Visit the Castile of Jumilla~
    • WINE TRAILS~ ~Ruta del Vine de Jumilla~

YECLA DO.      @Yecla

  • BLANCO= Airen, Macabeo, Merseguera, Malvasia, Verdejo
    • –International– Chardonnay, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc a Petit Grain),
  • TINTO= Monastrell, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Murcia(North) In Murcia
    • On~Coast/ Mediterranean~(Near/50km.)
    • BORDERS-Jumilla DO.(South-West), Alicante DO.(East)
    • Sub-Zones- Campo Arriba Campo Abano
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Cordillera Subbetica Range,+Altitude(500mt. to 800mt.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Limestone,
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences, +Diurnal Shifts(+20°Variation)
  • VITICULTURE- 4,825ha. Planted,  (8% White/ 92% Red),  –Vine-Training– Bush Vine
    • Estate/ Producers- Castano, Castillo del Baron, Gordo, Senorio de Barahonda

BULLAS DO.     @Bullas

  • BLANCO= Macabeo 20%, Airen
    • –International– Chardonnay, Malvasia Blanco, Moscatel(de Grano Menudo) AKA=Muscat(Blanc Petit Grain), Sauvignon Blanco
  • TINTO= Monastrell 66%, Garnacha, Tempranillo
    • –International– Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Murcia(Interior), PROVINCE-Murcia, “Non-Contiguous(2)”
    • BORDERS-Jumilla DO.(North)
    • MUNICIPALITIES-Bullas, Calasparra, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegin, Lorca, Moratalla, Mula, Ricote
    • Sub-Zones- North-West, Central, North-East
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ ?, +Altitude(400mt. to 811mt.)
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial, Limestone, Chalk
  • CLIMATE- “Mediterranean” With “Continental” Influences
  • VITICULTURE- 1,700ha. Planted,  (21% White/ 79% Red)
    • Estate/ Producers- Balcona, Bodega Monastrell, Carrascalejo, La del Terreno, Lavia, Del Rosario, Saura
  • CULTURE- 1994- DO. Officially Established.

Vino de la Tierra’s of Valenciana & Murcia

  • BLANCO= Any White Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Valenciana.
  • TINTO= Any Red Grapes Varieties Approved For Production In Valenciana.
  • VITICULTURE- Wines In “VALENCIANA” Not Conforming to a DO.

ABANILLA VT.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Murcia(East), PROVINCE– ?
  • CULTURE- 2003- VT. Officially Established.

CAMPO De CARTAJENA VT.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Murcia(South-East), PROVINCE– ?
  • CULTURE- 1999- VT. Officially Established.

CASTELO VT.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, PROVINCE-?

MURCIA VT.     @

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Murcia(Greater)
  • CULTURE- 2009- VT. Officially Established

Vino de Pago VP.

  • **Refer to “SPAIN/ HOME” For Detailed Information On Vino Pago.

Vino Pago El Terrerazo VP.     @Utiel-Requena

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, PROVINCE-Valencia
  • VITICULTURE-  89ha. Planted

Vino Pago Los Balagueses VP.     @Utiel-Requena

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, PROVINCE-Valencia
  • VITICULTURE-  18ha., Owned by Vegalfaro Vinedos y Bodegas

Vino Pago Chozas Carrascal VP.     @Utiel-Requena

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, PROVINCE-Valencia
  • VITICULTURE- 40ha.

Vino Pago Vera de Estenas VP.     @Utiel-Requena

  • GEOGRAPHY- Spain, REGION-Valenciana, PROVINCE-Valencia
  • VITICULTURE-  47 ha. Planted

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.