Murcia

DO region in the region of Murcia in the Levante in the south-east of Spain, named after the town of the same name. It includes only a single commune. The vineyard area totals 20.000 hectares, of which only 4.600 hectares are classified for the production of quality wine. The soils are clay on a limestone-rich sub-soil, with vineyards located at an altitude of 400 to 700 metres above sea level. The climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters, also resulting in extreme variances between daytime and nighttime temperatures. More than 90% of the grapes grown are red varieties. The most widely planted and most important grape variety is the red Monastrell, accounting for 85% of the total area, followed by Garnacha Tinta (Grenache Noir), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cencibel (Tempranillo) and Merlot. The most important white varieties are Merseguera, Macabeo, Airén, Malvasia and Chardonnay. A special feature of the area is that it has remained largely free from phylloxera, and around half the vineyard area is planted with ungrafted vines. Well-known producers include Bodegas Castaño, Bodegas La Purísima, Señorio de Barahonda and Antonio Candela e Hijos.