🍷 Fondillón
A rare old sweet wine from overripe Monastrell in Alicante.
Fondillón is a rare old sweet wine from the Alicante area in eastern Spain. It is made from overripe Monastrell, known in French as Mourvèdre. The grapes are left on the vine until they gather a lot of sugar.
The main feature of the wine is long ageing. Fondillón is aged in old barrels for at least 10 years. Throughout these years the wine slowly oxidises and changes in taste. The result is a dark, thick drink with notes of dried fruit, nuts and coffee. It is counted among fortified wines, although in the classic version spirit is not always added.
Fondillón is one of the oldest wine styles of Spain. It stands next to rancio, the name for wine with a typical old, oxidised taste. Today very little Fondillón is made, and it is a one-of-a-kind product.
The name is closely tied to Alicante. The wine is sipped in small amounts, after a meal. As with any alcohol, it should be drunk in moderation.
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Fortified wine
- Where it is made
- 🗺️ Spanish wine
- Related to
- 🍇 Mourvèdre
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Rancio
Frequently asked questions
What is Fondillón?
A rare old sweet wine from overripe Monastrell (Mourvèdre) from the Alicante area in Spain.
How long is Fondillón aged?
At least 10 years in barrels.
What is rancio?
A style of old wine with an oxidised taste, to which Fondillón is close.
Similar
🍷 Málaga · 🍷 Rancio · 🍷 Rutherglen Muscat · 🍷 Liqueur wine · 🍷 Mistelle · 🍷 Carcavelos
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.