Alicante
Styles
Principal grape varieties
AirenAlarijeBobalBonicaire (Trepat)Cabernet FrancSauvignonChardonnayForcallat Blanca (Luisa Blanca)Forcallat TintaGarnacha BlancaGarnacha TintaGarnacha Tintorera (Alicante Henri Bouschet)Mandón (Garro)Macabeo (Viura)MerlotMersegueraMiguel Del Arco (Moristel)MonastrellMoscatel De Alejandría (Muscat Of Alexandria)Moscatel De Grano Menudo (Muscat A Petits Grains Blancs)Pedro XiménezPetit Verdot (Verdot Petit)Pinot NoirPlanta Fina De Pedralba (Planta Fina)Planta NovaSauvignon BlancSyrahTempranilloTortosíTrepatValencí Blanco (Beba)Valencí TintoVerdejoVerdilViognier
Terroir
Natural factors
- Calcareous soils with active limestone and low water retention contribute dryness, acidity, and mineral nuances to the wine.
- High summer sunshine during full ripening generates medium-to-high natural sugar levels and intense color in red wines.
- Long, dry summers allow over-ripening on the vine and sun-drying of grapes, without any passage through wood.
- Contrasting rainfall between sub-zones: 300 mm in the Subzona Alicante and 500 mm in the Subzona La Marina. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Human factors
- A centuries-old tradition of fortified wines, white and red mistelas, made from Moscatel, Garnacha, and Monastrell varieties.
- Sun-drying of the grapes produces wines with hints of ripe fruit and color intensity without oak aging.
Product characteristics
- Calcareous soils contribute dryness, acidity, and mineral notes; intense sunshine delivers deep color and ripe fruit.
- Over-ripening on the vine and sun-drying of the grapes produce wines of intense ripe fruit without oak aging.
Terroir / wine link
- Calcareous soils with low water retention → dryness, good acidity, and mineral influences in the wines.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the the specification.
Sources
- eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A1526
- Official trade body site — Vinos Alicante DOP