📍 Málaga (Axarquía)

Málaga is a wine area in southern Spain, in Andalusia, on the Mediterranean coast. Its mountain part east of the city is called Axarquía: vineyards lie on steep slopes above the sea, on slate soils, often on terraces worked by hand. Summers are hot and dry, winters mild, and sea air softens the heat.

Málaga is known for sweet wines. The main grapes are Moscatel (Muscat of Alexandria) and Pedro Ximénez. The grapes are left to dry in the sun, giving raisin-like berries with high sugar that then ferment into a thick amber wine. Versions aged in barrels take on notes of nuts, dried fruit and caramel. Fortified types exist as well.

Local grapes such as Romé and Doradilla grow here. In the 19th century sweet Málaga was known far beyond Spain and widely exported. Today dry white and red wines are also made.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the west in the mountains lies the Serranía de Ronda area, which makes still reds, to the north-west Jerez, and to the north Montilla-Moriles, also with sweet wines from Pedro Ximénez.