The Valencia region

The Valencia wine region has 3 DO’s: Alicante, Valencia and Utiel Requena. It has a long wine making history, but unfortunately the quality it offers today is often overlooked. This might be a heritage from the past when Bobal -the main red grape in Utiel Requena and also one of the most planted grapes in Spain- used to be grown for bulk wine. However, this is changing and in particular at higher altitudes the Bobal grape can give high quality wines. A number of innovative wine makers are driving this and make this a fascinating region close to the Mediterranean coast. One to definitely keep an eye on!

Tasted – Blanc D’Enguera Original 2022 – Bodegas Enguera

In addition to the red wines from Bobal, interesting whites are produced, too. I tasted the Blanc D’Enguera Original 2022, made in beautiful hilly Valle dels Alforins in the southern part of the DO Valencia sometimes called Valencian Tuscany. The 3^rd generation of the family bodega is dedicated to sustainable viticulture. This wine is based on the local and rare grape Verdil (70%) blended with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier (all 10%) and was aged in French oak for 4,5 months.

My wine experience

The wine has a lemon color and aromas of ripe stone fruit, citrus and some toast. It is accessible, medium bodied with modest acidity and a light bitter in its finish.

This is a smooth drinking wine with warm Mediterranean character and flavors with ripe fruit and toast. I would drink it while enjoying a summer meal on a terrace. Interestingly, my table company did not fancy the wine as much which to me shows that every wine experience remains something quite personal. Worth trying it yourself!

Conclusion

Good wine for a good price.

Wine info

Year 2022 | Alcohol 13% | DO Valencia | Bodegas Enguera | Price range EUR 10-15

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