📍 Utiel-Requena

Utiel-Requena is a wine zone in the province of Valencia, in eastern Spain. It lies on a high plateau between the Mediterranean coast and the plains of La Mancha. The name comes from two towns, Utiel and Requena. The appellation was created in 1932. The district is part of Valencia.

The main grape is Bobal, a red variety. It takes up most of the vineyards and gives the wine dark colour, freshness and fine tannins. Bobal is said to be more resistant to phylloxera than many other grapes, and thanks to this the vineyards of the district were spared by the pest.

Red, rosé, white, still and sparkling wines are made here. Bobal rosé ("rosado") has long been loved in Spain. The district also has several estates with the separate higher status of "vino de pago": Chozas Carrascal, Vera de Estenas, El Terrerazo and Tarsis.

The climate combines sea influence and the continental air of the plateau. This gives large temperature swings, thanks to which the grapes keep their freshness. Utiel-Requena is one of the best addresses in Spain for those who love Bobal. More than a hundred wineries belong to the appellation. Its regulatory council sits in the historic Bodega Redonda in Utiel.