Comunidad Valenciana (Comunitat Valenciana)

DO located in the region of Valencia in the Levante in Spain, it is named after two cities located in the centre of the region. The region has an extreme climate, with hot summers that bring temperatures of up to 40 °C/105° F., and cold winters with low temperatures og up to minus 15 °C/-5° F.. The vineyard area totals 40.000 hectares, the vineyards are located at altitudes of between 600 and 1.000 metres above sea level. 32.000 hectares of this are planted with the red variety Bobal, which is traditionally grown as a bush vine. Many of the vines are more than 50 years old, and in some extreme cases even uo to 100 years old. As a result, yields are low, and tannic wines rich in extract are produced. Other red varieties planted include Tempranillo (10%) followed by Garnacha (Grenache), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. White varieties account for only 5% of the vineyard area, they are Macabeo, Planta Nova, Merseguera, Sauvignon Blanc and some Chardonnay. The majority of wines produced are intended for blending or strengthening the wines of other DOs. The region has created its own quality classification „Utiel-Requena Superior”. These wines must be made from Macabeo (white wines), Tempranillo resp. Garnacha (red wines) or Bobal (rosado), and must have an alcohol content of 11,5 to 13,5%. A speciality of the region is Doble Pasta, an extremely dark red wine with a high level of extract made by a special method. There is a special regulation which permits the wines of the region to be blended with those of the DO Valencia, which adjoins to the east, this is a reciprocal agreement.