Alicante, as in so many other things, offers its own unique wine culture. For one thing, Dénia is home to the oldest site of wine production on the Iberian Peninsula, specifically in l’Alt de Benimaquía, dating back to the 6th century BC.
This is not the only landmark to be highlighted, as few wines in Spain have such a proven history as Fondillón de Alicante. Fondillón is unique, having been produced for more than five centuries. And it was also a traveller, since due to its magnificent tolerance to ageing, several chronicles of the time tell that several barrels accompanied Magellan and Elcano on their round-the-world voyage in 1522.
And there is more. The official chronicler of the French monarch Louis XIV, the Duke of Saint-Simon, wrote that before his death, the man known as the ‘Sun King’ drank biscuits soaked in Alicante fondillón.
These are some examples of the fact that history and the area of origin are key factors, as it is not only the sip of good wine: it is experiencing tradition and history in a moment to share or to enjoy with oneself -and always in moderation-.
Moments that, in these times, have helped redefine how we enjoy the luxury of drinking well in privacy, in your own home. And no one is surprised by the growing passion of people who incorporate wine into their lives to delve into its complexities.
Discover the tradition and luxury of Alicante wine: a history that transcends centuries and turns every glass into a moment of culture and pleasure.
With its own personality
Nowadays, several wineries in Alicante keep alive the production of this legacy made wine. One of them is Gutiérrez de la Vega, in Parcent, who made a splash by offering the dessert wine served at the royal wedding of Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz in 2004. It was the Casta Diva Cosecha Miel 2003 muscatel.
Autochthonous varieties
In short, there are a number of events involving Alicante wine which, characterised by the native varieties Monastrell, Moscatel, Giró (Garnacha) and Merseguera, generate great products within the Alicante Designation of Origin.
These products enjoy a differentiated quality, due to the climate and the influence of the sun and the sea. These values are shared in many cultural areas of the Costa Blanca, where living here also generates a quality of life that is difficult to match. And without abandoning wine, the possible wine tourism getaways that can be made on the Alicante Wine Route are also worth mentioning.
