Valencia, a wine region stretching along Spain's eastern coast, boasts a long history of winemaking dating back to the Roman era. It's one of the country's largest wine producers, encompassing two distinct Denominaciones de Origen (DOs): Valencia DO and Utiel-Requena DO. The Valencia DO is known for its diverse offerings, including light and refreshing Cava sparkling wines and rich red wines. Utiel-Requena DO, located further inland with a more continental climate, excels in full-bodied red wines, particularly those made from Tempranillo and the local Bobal grape.
The main grape varieties grown in Valencia include Monastrell (also known as Mourvèdre), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), and Bobal for red wines, and Merseguera, Macabeo, and Malvasía for white wines. The region is also known for producing Cava, a sparkling wine made using the traditional method.
The main grape varieties grown in Valencia include Monastrell (also known as Mourvèdre), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), and Bobal for red wines, and Merseguera, Macabeo, and Malvasía for white wines. The region is also known for producing Cava, a sparkling wine made using the traditional method.
Valencia's winemaking heritage is as vibrant as its festivals. The region's signature grape, Bobal, is native to Valencia. Its name may come from "boval," meaning "bull," alluding to the grape's robust character and historic use as a workhorse grape.