Winemaker Notes
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
The Valencia DO wine region is a non-contiguous appellation, with four distinct subzones, surrounding the area beyond Valencia’s capital city. Winemaking in the northern part of this region is dominated by old growing areas surrounding the city. The region was established in 1957.
Historically, bulk wine has been the focal point of the region and cooperatives still handle 85% of total production today. However, winemakers are trying to steadily move away from this and focus more on producing quality wine thanks to a growing group of local innovative winemakers. More importance is being placed on older vines of indigenous (or historic) varieties planted at higher altitudes, which range from 820 - 3,600 feet.
There is growing excitement about the wines being produced from black grapes such as Monastrell, as well as late-ripening white grapes such as Merseguera. The most planted grape, Moscatel de Alejandría, has its own subzone centered around the production of sweet, fortified liqueur wines, called locally Mistela de Moscatel. The region's reds, rosés and whites actually all include dessert wines, each with their own wine-making traditions.