Utiel-Requena DO [oo-TYEHL reh-KEH-nah]
A DO located west of the city of Valencia in the Levante region of eastern Spain. There are almost 100,000 vineyard acres in the region, which encompasses the towns of Utiel and Requena and touches the Valencia DO on its eastern boundary. This area produces good rosé wines and full-bodied (see body) reds, mainly from the Bobal grape, with minor use of Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). Utiel-Requena’s rather ordinary white wines are made from Macabeo, Merseguera, and Planta Nova. Among the grapes currently being tested are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.