When one thinks of Spanish wine, the first type that springs to mind is La Rioja. Whilst the fruit of this tiny, northern region is considered one of the best in the country, let’s not forget that Spain’s mild climate, dry and mountainous landscape and in some cases, sea breeze, is perfect for grape cultivation and you can find an exhaustive range of good wines, locally-produced, wherever you live.

Cariñena, in Zaragoza, Aragón, and Ribera del Duero in Burgos, Castilla y León, have achieved international fame on the back of their quality wines. Here on the east coast, we also have plenty to choose from and the good news is that, as they are made on the doorstep, they are much cheaper to buy than imported wines – you rarely need to pay more than three euros for something drinkable.

The Marina Alta is famous for its Moscatel grapes which, thanks to the area’s proximity to the sea, enjoy the benefits of salty water and air that, combined with the dry terrain, produce sweet, plump grapes ideal for eating fresh or making wine. In fact, Dénia’s raisin trade was booming in the 19th century and the Marina Alta’s wares sold in huge quantities to the UK.
More renowned Denominaciones de Origen (DO) include Utiel-Requena, in the province of Valencia, and Jumilla, in Murcia.

Utiel-Requena
The wine region, or DO, is located directly between the two towns which are roughly 16 kilometres apart and lie on the outer limits of the Comunidad Valenciana. In sharp contrast to the coastal landscape, the Utiel-Requena area is made up of dry, red, clay soil.

Utiel-Requena is best known for its red wine, particularly the Bobal grape variety, which comprises 80 per cent of its produce. Bobal grapes flourish high up in arid soils, preferring the short, dry summers characteristic of inland parts of the Comunidad. Rarely found outside of Spain, the Bobal grape has been seen in a few small plantations in the south of France and in Cerdeña, Italy.

Very fresh, ideal for red and rosé wine-making, Bobal is Utiel-Requena’s star produce, although the region also churns out a large quantity of other grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, and the recently-authorised Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. If white wine is more to your taste, Utiel-Requena’s top variety is Macabeo, but bodegas in the area also produce Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

With some seven thousand people working the hundred or so bodegas in the district, wine production is the mainstay of Utiel-Requena’s economy, and has been so, uninterrupted, since the Iberian period. Of course, rural tourism is growing considerably in the area, given its spectacular countryside, a careful blend of the mountains and pine-forests of Valencian territories and the desert-like red plains of Castilla-La Mancha.

Keen walkers can drink in the countryside as well as the fine wine on specially-designed routes that wend their way through ten villages, stopping at bodegas on the way, and finishing with a slap-up meal. Walking holidays in the area with accommodation in rural hotels are becoming increasingly popular.

Jumilla
Deep inland in the Región de Murcia, Jumilla has a staggering five DOs to its name. Thanks to the east wind and sea breeze from the Mediterranean, coupled with the dry, desert-like terrain and semi-arid climate, its superior grape varieties produce heavy, full-bodied reds that are a whopping 17 per cent proof. Amongst its heady produce, Monastrell stands out as being one of the most popular and is particularly favoured for its reds. Garnacha and Tintorera Cencibel are also widely-used for both red and rosé.

The DO region’s 50 bodegas are now leaning towards lighter, younger wines and pushing their whites heavily. Using mainly the little-known Merseguera and Airen grape varieties, their Pedro Ximénez wine also comes highly recommended.

Capitalising on its famous produce, Jumilla is a tourist magnet for walking and sight-seeing fans, and its lively, exuberant wine festival at the start of the grape harvest is a must for anyone who is fond of a drop of the devil’s elixir, be they connoisseurs or simply enjoy a drink now and again. Like Utiel-Requena, its wine route is a fantastic opportunity for ramblers to get to know the countryside in the area and see the beautiful historic monuments in and around Jumilla. The 15th-century Iglesia de Santiago, the Bronze Age castle and the wine museum are just a few examples of the long list of heritage that Jumilla boasts.

Next time you find yourself in the supermarket pondering over the wine selection, try taking a sip of the fruits of your own land. Wine from your local area will be less costly than those from further afield, yet without compromising on quality.

The first photo shows the wine museum in Utiel while the second features a sweet Monastrell wine from Bodegas San Isidro in Jumilla sold under the Gémina brand.