Utiel-Requena is a Certified Origin, in Spanish ”Denominación de Origen” (D.O.) for wines located in the province of Valencia (Valencian Community). It takes its name from the two neighbouring towns of Utiel and Requena. It is renowned for the predominant use of the Bobal grape variety.
Characteristics of wines and types Utiel-Requena
The DO Utiel-Requena is a region mainly of red wines, more of 94% of the surface of the vineyard is cultivated of red varieties.
The types of wines contemplated by the Regulatory Council of the Utiel-Requena Designation of Origin are the following:
SUPERIOR reds of 1º or 2º year without aging, and whites and rosés that have very high organoleptic qualities. They have an alcohol content of over 11º in the case of whites and rosés and of 11.5º in reds.
TRADITION whose main characteristic is that they are obtained from the Bobal variety (native of the Utiel-Requena DO). It will only admit a mixture of other varieties in a maximum of 30%. It will have a minimum alcohol content of 12% volume. In any of its final typifications could also be: aging, reserve, large reserve, superior or matured in barrels.
MATURED IN BARREL submitted to a step or stay in oak barrel or cone, whose period of stay in it, will be less than 6 months. This stay will contribute to modify its initial characteristics, transforming its chromatic, aromatic and primary taste qualities. Its alcohol content will be at least 12% by volume.
CRIANZA (red) subjected to a minimum aging process of 2 years, of which at least 6 months will have remained in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 330 litres. Minimum grade 12º.
RESERVE (red) subjected to a minimum aging process of 3 years, of which at least 1 year will have remained in oak barrels of 330 litres maximum capacity. Subsequently, you must have a 2-year bottle-bottle rest. Minimum grade 12º.
GRAN RESERVA (red) subjected to a minimum aging process of 5 years, of which at least year and a half will have remained in oak barrels of 330 litres of maximum capacity. Then you must have a rest in bottle – bottle rack – of 3 and a half years. Minimum grade 12º.
Cavas: sparkling wines by the traditional method of 10.5º to 11.50º of alcohol.
