he types of wines covered by the Regulatory Counsel for Denomination of Origin for Utiel-Requena are as follows: SUPERIOR: Non-aged white, rosés and reds of 1st or 2nd year which possess very high organoleptic qualities. Their alcoholic content is above 11% in the case of whites and rosés and 11.5% for the reds. TRADITION: Wines whose principle characteristic is that they have been made with the BOBAL variety (native to the D.O. Utiel-Requena). Only blends of a maximum of 30% are permitted. It will have a minimum alcohol content of 12% by volume. Whatever its final classification it may also be a crianza, reserva, gran reserva, superior or cask aged. CASK AGED (Madurado en Barrica): Wines subjected to a pass or stay in an oak cask or cone for a period of no more than six months. This process helps modify the starting characteristics, transforming the initial chromatic, aromatic and taste qualities. It will have a minimum alcohol content of 12% by volume. CRIANZA: Wines subjected to aging processes in oak vessels, which will not have a capacity greater than 1,000 litres, for a period of at least six months. They should then be let to settle in the bottle for no less than twelve months. Minimum alcohol content of 12%. RESERVA: Wines subjected to aging processes in oak vessels, which will not have a capacity greater than 1,000 litres, for a period of at least twelve months. They should then be let to settle in the bottle for no less than twenty-four months. Minimum alcohol content of 12%. GRAN RESERVA: Wines subjected to aging processes in oak vessels, which will not have a capacity greater than 1,000 litres, for a period of at least twenty-four months. They should then be let to settle in the bottle for no less than thirty-six months. Minimum alcohol content of 12%.

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	obal is the most widespread variety in Utiel-Requena and accounts for 80% of production. The climate and the soil requirements of this variety are perfectly met in the area and it shows all the signs of being a native strain. It is not widely cultivated in the rest of Spain and is still not very well known even though there are some vineyards in the South of France and in Cerdeña, Italy. According to all studies carried out Bobal yield outside this region drops noticeably, fruit quality deteriorates and it shows a clear preference for the high lands and the short, dry summers in which it develops its characteristics. Bobal is especially well adapted to the production of refreshing rosés and carbonic maceration reds and has become the star variety of the Denomination of Origin of Utiel-Requena. The Tempranillo variety is the second largest crop in the D.O. Utiel-Requena accounting for 12% of production and has tripled its presence in the D.O. over the last decade. The Macabeo variety gives green, straw-coloured white wines with an intense fruity aroma. Some of these are destined for sparkling wines blended with the Tardana o Planta Nova variety, which is also local – as the red Bobal -, and of a more golden colour with less aroma but ideal for the blending because of its dry flavour and greater acidity. It is also worth pointing out the excellence that the union of the above varieties with a Chardonnay produces as a base wine or Cava. The Merseguera variety is, today, the least widely-grown crop and only then on the highest lands in the area.