Alicante

Side. Alicante was created in 1932 and was regulated in 1957.

The production area of the D.O. Alicante and its vineyards are located on both sides of the Vinalopó River and it extends through: the Comtat, Vinalópo and Marina Alta, these areas being very different: more mountainous in the north and softer terrain in the south.

The soils of this D.O. They are brown limestone and generally dry because rain is scarce. The climate is Mediterranean tending to the inland continental and in the most coastal area it has a marine microclimate favored by the coastal wind.

The extension of vineyards has always been very wide and many varieties have been cultivated throughout its history.

Authorized and preferred white varieties for this D.O. They are: Chardonnay, Planta Fina, Verdil, Airén, Macabeo, Merseguera and Moscatel de Alejandría. And authorized and preferred red varieties for this D.O. They are: Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell and Tempranillo.

In addition to their reds, pinks and whites they have a unique sweet wine in the world: The fondillón. This wine recognized by the European Union and with special protection within the D.O. Alicante comes from the over-ripening of the monastrell grape in the strain and subsequent pasification which results in a wine of about 18 degrees coming entirely from the sugar existing in the grape. The minimum aging for this wine is 10 years.