Valencia Wine: The Bottles You've Never Heard Of (But Should Have)

When people think of Spanish wine, they think of Rioja. They think of Ribera del Duero. They think of Albariño from Galicia. They do not, typically, think of Valencia. This is a mistake that I am going to correct.

The Valencia region produces excellent wine. It has been producing wine for over 2,500 years — the Phoenicians brought viticulture here before the Romans arrived. The climate is ideal: hot summers, mild winters, and the Mediterranean influence that moderates extremes. The soils are varied and interesting. And the winemakers, freed from the weight of international reputation, are experimenting in ways that the established regions cannot.

The Denominaciones de Origen

The Valencia wine region has three Denominaciones de Origen (DO): Valencia, Utiel-Requena, and Alicante. Each has its own character.

DO Valencia covers the coastal and inland areas around the city. The wines are typically Mediterranean in character — ripe, full-bodied, and food-friendly. The main red grape is Monastrell (known as Mourvèdre in France), which produces wines of real depth and complexity. The main white grape is Merseguera, which makes fresh, aromatic whites that are excellent with seafood.

DO Utiel-Requena is inland, at higher altitude, and produces some of the most interesting wines in the region. The Bobal grape is the star here — a native variety that was almost extinct twenty years ago but has been revived by forward-thinking winemakers. Bobal produces wines that are deeply coloured, tannic, and age-worthy — think of a rustic Rhône red with more personality.

DO Alicante is to the south and is known for its Monastrell-based reds and the extraordinary Fondillón — a rancio wine made from overripe Monastrell grapes that has been produced in Alicante for over 500 years. Fondillón is one of Spain's great wine curiosities: amber-coloured, oxidative, complex, and completely unlike anything else.

Where to Drink Wine in Valencia

Valencia has a growing natural wine scene, concentrated in Ruzafa and the Barrio del Carmen. The best wine bars include:

Bodega Casa Montaña (near the port) is one of Valencia's oldest and best wine bars — a traditional bodega with an extraordinary selection of Valencian and Spanish wines, served with excellent tapas. It has been open since 1836 and shows no signs of stopping.

La Más Bonita (Ruzafa) is a contemporary wine bar with an excellent selection of natural and biodynamic wines, mostly Spanish.

El Poblet (city centre) is the wine bar associated with the Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name. The selection is exceptional and the staff are knowledgeable.

Wine Tourism: Visiting the Bodegas

The Utiel-Requena wine region is about 70km west of Valencia and is easily accessible by train (45 minutes, €6-8). Several bodegas offer visits and tastings, including Bodegas Mustiguillo (one of the best producers of Bobal wine in Spain) and Bodegas Pago de Tharsys.

Our concierge service can organise wine tours to the Utiel-Requena region, including transport, bodega visits, and lunch. It is one of the best day trips from Valencia for wine lovers.

What to Buy

If you want to take Valencian wine home, look for:

• Bobal from Utiel-Requena (particularly from Mustiguillo or Vera de Estenas)
• Monastrell from DO Valencia (particularly from Bodegas Enrique Mendoza)
• Fondillón from Alicante (a unique and extraordinary wine)

The Mercado Central has a wine section with a good selection of local wines. Prices are reasonable — excellent Valencian wine can be found for €8-15 per bottle.