In this review of the gastronomic wealth of Comunitat Valenciana we have a special place and moment for its traditional wines and drinks. Throughout the three regions that are part of Comunitat Valenciana we find Protected Geographical Indications (P.G.I.) and Certificates of Origin to promote and protect the quality of these beverages.
- Castellon wines. The winemakers of the region wanted to recover the magnificence of a sector that enjoyed a great prestige until the 19th century, when it was devastated by Phylloxera sp. Since 2003, some wines have been regulated under the Castellon PGI quality figure. Those are the ones meeting the following conditions: (1) they have been obtained from vineyards located in Castellón (in the Alto Palancia-Alto Mijares, Sant Mateu and les Useres-Vilafamés wine-growing areas), (2) the wineries where they are made are in the region and (3) have been subjected to the rigorous quality controls established by the PGI. The aforementioned wines are red wine, aged red wine, white wine, white wine with barrel fermentation, rosé wine, liqueur wine, overripe grapes’ wine, quality sparkling wine and needle wine.
- Valencia wines. The production zones that constitute the Valencia Protected Certification of Origin are Alto Turia, Valentino, Moscatel and Clariano, which are distributed throughout the region and give the wines special characteristics. The most relevant varieties grown for these wines are the red wines Bobal, Monastrell, Tempranillo and Tintorera, and the white wines Macabeo, Malvasía, Merseguera, Moscatel and Verdil.
- Utiel-Requena wines. In Valencia west, the production area of the Utiel-Requena Certificate of Origin is located at approximately 750 meters of altitude and comprises 35,000 hectares. Wine has a long history in the area, more than 2,700 years, and is the economic engine of the region. The star variety of this C.O. It is the Bobal, a native grape that occupies the majority of the cultivated area due to its excellent qualities that are adaptable to the climate and the terrain. Other varieties authorized by the Regulatory Council are the red wines Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, and the white varieties Macabeo, Merseguera, Tardana, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Parellada , Verdejo and Muscatel de Grano Menudo.
- Requena Cava. The orography of the area and the thermal contrast provided by the climate have turned the region into a perfect place for the cultivation of varieties oriented to the production of cavas. The producers of the area have positioned these wines among the best in Spain due to their high quality.
- Alicante wines. The Regulatory Council of the Protected Certification of Origin of Alicante is one of the oldest institutions in Spain for the protection and control of the native’s wines. Alicante red wine is made with Monastrell and can be accompanied by other varieties such as Alicante Bouschet, Bobal, Cabernet, Syrah or Merlot. For white wines Moscatel is used, and the most historic product of the region is the Fondillón Alicante, from Monastrell, overripe on the non-additives variety.
- Alicante Spiritual Traditional dinks. The Regulatory Council of Specific Certifications brings together four drinks: El Herbero de Sierra de Mariola, Cantueso, Anís Paloma de Monforte del Cid and Aperitivo café de Alcoy.
Why not take advantage of the upcoming festivals to taste and enjoy these specialties of the Valencian regions?