Utiel-Requena wine 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 outside the region 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 important 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 also produce very interesting white wines from other grapes such as Merseguera and below Tardana wine. A fascinating region in the Mediterranean region and one to definitely keep an eye on!

Tasted – Tardana 2022 – LoAlto

This blanco is made of the Tardana grape. This is a relatively unknown late ripening grape with a thick skin. The grape is indigenous to Spain and planted in Utiel-Requena and a few other Spanish wine regions. At LoAlto the vines grow at an altitude of 700 meters in continental climate with Mediterranean influence, a good growing environment for this grape. The wine does not receive an oak influence as it is matured for 6 months in cement and inox, which leads to a wine with a focus on fruit and freshness.

My wine experience

The wine has a lemon color and aromas of lemon, white flowers and orange. The mouth feel shows a medium body with a drying sensation. The wine has a medium plus acidity and medium alcohol and besides the mentioned fruit shows some citrus peel and a light bitter.

This is a different white wine from a different grape. Clean, fresh and accessible though still it may not be everyone’s immediate friend. Its own character is what attracts me in this wine. One to try, discover and repeat! To pair with sea food, salads and white meat.

Conclusion

A very good wine for a good price

Wine info

2022 | Alcohol 11% | DO Utiel-Requena | LoAlto | Price range EUR 10-15

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