Valencia and Murcia

Question 1

What are the DOs of Murcia?

Answer 1

Jumilla-with sandy soils, phylloxera did not hit until 1980’s, resulting vineyard decimation allowed the regions producers to refocu, pivoting away from generic bulk wine production to the cultivation of drought resistant, thick skinned Monstrell.

Yecla

Bullas

Question 2

What two autonomias comprise the Llevant region?

Answer 2

Valencia and Murcia on the eastern coast.

Question 3

Valencia DOs and their locations and specialties.

Answer 3

Valencia DO (unlike other DOs there is no one dominant variety, but there is a focus on white wines produced from the local Merseguera grape and other varieties)

Alicante DO-furthest south; best known for dessert wines, Fondillón

Utiel-Requena DO “EW-tea-el re-kane-ah” DO-most inland/continental; primarily produced from the Bobal grape and doble pasta is a traditional style.

**Only Utiel-Requena is one contiguous piece; both Alicante and Valencia are composed of distinct portions linked by legislature and tradition rather than direct proximity.

Question 4

What are the three main subregions of Alicante DO?

Answer 4

La marina in the east

Rio Vinalopó in the west (the classic heart of Alicante est in 1957)

El Comtat in between.

Question 5

What are the four subzones of Valencia DO?

Answer 5

Alto Turia (most distinct), Valentino (closest to the coast), and Moscatel (dedicated to sweet wines of Muscat de Alexandria)
-all situated to the northwest of the city

Clariano (Pablo Calatayud’s Celler del Roure) in the south, close to Alicante

Question 6

What is Fondillón (fon-DEE-shjon”)?

Answer 6

A solera-style, oxidative dessert wine produced from overripe Monstrell (Mourvedre) grapes aged for a min. of 10 years. It is not fortified and it does carry the flavor of wood. Fondillón demonstrates a marked Oloroso-like character, although with faint sweetness and without the heft of fortification.

Question 7

What is Doble Pasta?

Answer 7

Wine fermented and macerated with double the amount of grape skins and pulp. Used in Utiel-Requena and Alicante, both in Valencia.

Question 8

What are the main grapes of Uclés DO ?

Answer 8

Red varietals of Cencibel, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

-White wines, sparkling wines, and sweet, dulce wines are also produced.

Question 9

What was the estate in the Mediterranean area of Spain to receive its own Vino de Pago?

Answer 9

Viñedos y Bodega Mustiguillo in 2010

Question 10

What famous Spanish dish originated in Valencia?

Answer 10

Paella