Alicante (DO)
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Alicante is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) (Denominació d'Origen in Valencian) for wines located in the province of Alicante (Autonomous Community of Valencia).
There are two separate and distinct sub-zones: Vinalopó, which extends along the banks of the River Vinalopó in the southern area of the province, where the Monastrell grape variety and red wine production are predominant; and the smaller and newer sub-zone known as La Marina, along the coast in the northern area of the province, where the Moscatel grape variety and white wine production are predominant.
Alicante is most renowned for producing a traditional sweet dessert wine known as Fondillón, made from overripe grapes.
History
Alicante has a long history of grape growing and wine production, which was probably introduced by the ancient Romans. The Golden Age of Alicante wines was during the 16th and 17th centuries, when they were imported to northern Europe by English, Swedish and Flemish merchants. In 1510 a royal decree prohibited the importation of wine into the province of Alicante while local wine was produced there.
The town of Monóvar was internationally renowned in the 16th century for its Fondillón wine.
Soils
The soils are mainly dark lime bearing soils on subsoils of sedimentary rock. By the Vinalopó banks, they are quite loose and sandy with almost no organic material present.
Climate
The climate in the coastal Marina sub-zone is Mediterranean, while the climate in the Vinalopó subzone starts off Mediterranean becoming progressively more continental further inland. In La Marina maximum temperatures in summer are around 30°C and the average minimum in winter is around 13°C, with occasional frost. In the Vinalopó, highs in summer are around 35ºC and lows in winter around 5ºC, with frequent frost.
Rainfall is slightly above 500 mm/year in La Marina but scarce in the Vinalopó, only at around 300 mm/year.
Grapes
As in other grape growing regions in Valencia region, Monastrell is the predominant variety, though Garnacha and merseguera are also present.
Due to the heat in summer the vines are planted as low bushes (en vaso).
The main authorized grape varieties are Moscatel (white) and Monastrell (red), though the following experimental varieties are also authorized:
White: Planta Fina, Merseguera, Chardonnay, Verdil, Sauvignon blanc, Airén, Macabeo
Red: Garnacha tinta, Garnacha tintorera, Tempranillo, Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Syrah