S/East Spain - The Levant - Alicante

Answer 1

In the hills behind Alicante on the south-east coast of Spain. South of Valencia.

• Alluvial soils w limestone subsoils.
• Hot Mediterranean climate.

Answer 2

Reds

1. Monastrell - aka Mourvedre
2. Buds & ripens late (-> warm climate)
3. Thrives in south facing slopes with shallow, water-retaining clay soils
4. Dark, full bodied wines w hi acidity, hi tannins, med+ to hi alcohol w a fruity (bramble fruits) & meaty aromas that develop into leather, mushroom & spicy aromas with age

Others: Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Bobal, Cab Sauv

Answer 3

White

1. Moscatel
2. Aromatic grape used in sweet wines
3. Merseguera
4. Old Spanish grape
5. Vigorous and fertile for neutral dry

whites

Others: Planta fina

Answer 4

14,000ha with en vaso plantings (due to heat)

Key Hazards: frost (inland)

Styles:

Export easy-drinking whites, reds and rosados, sweet Moscatel

Fondillon: traditional naturally sweet wine from late picked Monastrell grapes & aged for 78 years in oak barrels

90% of production is produced by poorly equipped cooperative but some more quality producers e.g. Bocopa (cooperative) or Enrique Mendoza (private firm).

oEnrique Mendoza – 400k btls/yr
- Owns 100ha of vines at higher altitude -> powerful and concentrated not overripe.

• Santa Rosa red from Cab Sauv, Merlot & Syrah & Moscatel are the key wines.