Comunitat Valenciana

The autonomous region with the capital Valencia is located in the east of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Levant. It covers 23,255 km² and is divided into the three provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Castellón de la Plana. The region borders Catalonia to the north, Aragon and Castile-La Mancha to the west and Murcia to the south. It is one of the most productive agricultural landscapes in Europe. Rice, tropical fruits and exotic vegetables thrive in the alluvial plain around València.

History

The port city of Valencia was already an important transhipment point for wine in Roman times. The Roman poet Juvenal (1st century) mentions a wine from Sagunt in his satires. Likewise, the famous scholar Arnaldus de Villanova (1240-1311) mentions wines from Valencia. The artfully practised distillation of wine was already famous here in the Middle Ages. Even at the time of the Muslim occupation of Spain between the 8th and 13th centuries, this was tolerated despite the ban on alcohol, and wine spirits from Denia, Sagunt and València were in demand throughout Europe at that time.

Climate & Soils

In the mountainous regions, winters are cold and summers dry. In the lowlands there is sufficient rainfall in winter and spring. In the east, the Mediterranean hot and humid climate is characterised by heavy storms and cloudbursts in summer and autumn. In the west, a continental dry climate prevails. Artificial irrigation is sometimes necessary. The brown-red, relatively thin soils of the region are largely calcareous. Loose, fertile soils prevail in the alluvial areas of the rivers. The different climates/soils require specific varieties in the individual areas.

Vineyards & Grape Varieties

The vineyards cover 58,000 hectares. Each area has its own varieties due to the different climates/soils. The main white wine varieties are Forcayat (Forcallat Blanca), Merseguera, Moscatel Romano (Muscat d'Alexandrie), Macabeo, Malvasía (Planta Nova), Planta Fina (Damaschino), Pedro Ximénez, Tortosina, Verdil, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc). The main red wine varieties are Monastrell, Bobal, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Henri Bouschet), Forcallat Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. A speciality are dessert and liqueur wines made from the Moscatel, marketed under "Moscatel de Valencia".

Wine-growing areas

There are three DO and four Vino de Pago areas (quality wines), as well as one IGP area (country wines):

• Alicante (DO)
• Castelló (IGP)
• Finca Terrerazo (Vin de Pago)
• Pago Chozas Carrascal (Vino de Pago)
• Pago de Tharsys (Vino de Pago)
• Utiel-Requena (DO)
• Valencia (DO)
• Vera de Estenas (Vino de Pago)