My friends and I will be visiting the Alicante region of Spain (Javea specifically). Which local vineyards are worth a visit and when dining out, which wines do you recommend we sample? Red and white?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
You are going to the Mediterranean coast of Spain and will find a diversity of wines from numerous grape varieties, native and international. The predominant red grape is Monastrell (Mourvedre) and figures in Tinto Alicante. It is also planted in nearby districts including Jumilla and Yecla, which are also worth visiting if you have time. Alicante is known as well for sweet wines based on the Muscat grape found around the Mediterranean and called Moscatel in Spain. You'll find various styles and colors from lighter colored, fresh and floral to darker shades with the influence of aging. My tendency is to sample local wines, particularly those I find on the list of a serious restaurant. If there's a sommelier, ask for recommendations of "hot" wines which might not be widely available outside the region. There are numerous cellars of different sizes and profiles. I recommend you look at the website of the D.O. Alicante for further information and especially a guide in English for wine touring, which you can download, entitled "Wine Tourism in the PDO Alicante Wines." The address is crdo-alicante.org/uploads. Another very helpful and extensive guide to the area can be found at costablanca.org. The "gastronomical map" of restaurants and a listing of wine shops could prove very useful! Have a great trip!
