Jumilla
Jumilla is a Spanish wine region located in the southeastern part of Spain, primarily in Murcia province with a small portion extending into Albacete. The region has a continental Mediterranean climate with extreme temperature variations, low rainfall, and high-altitude vineyards (400-900m), creating a harsh terroir that phylloxera largely bypassed, allowing some pre-phylloxera Monastrell vines to survive. Monastrell (Mourvèdre) is the signature grape variety, accounting for about 70% of plantings, though Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, and white varieties like Airén and Macabeo are also grown, producing powerful, fruit-forward reds that have evolved from bulk production to high-quality wines with DO status since 1966.
Wines from Jumilla
Jumilla (2)
Parajes del Valle Macabeo Maceration Orange
Orange wine – white grapes fermented with skin contact like a red wine – might seem like a modern trend, but it's actually one of the oldest winemaking styles in the world. Parajes del Valle applies this ancient technique to Macabeo (also known as Viura) from the sun-baked region of Jumilla in southeastern Spain. What makes this orange wine particularly appealing is its approachability – it offers the fascinating complexity and textural elements that make skin-contact whites so intriguing, but without the extreme funkiness that can sometimes be off-putting to newcomers. The extended contact with grape skins provides not just the distinctive amber color but also adds tannin, texture, and a broader range of flavors than conventional white wine processing. The result is a wine that pairs with a much wider range of foods than typical whites – everything from rich seafood to roasted poultry and even some lighter red meat dishes. It's the perfect bottle for adventurous wine lovers looking to explore new territory.
Parajes del Valle Maceracion Macabeo
This isn't your typical white wine – Parajes del Valle's skin-contact Macabeo is what happens when tradition meets modern winemaking ingenuity. The 'Maceracion' in the name refers to the extended time the juice spends with the grape skins, giving this Spanish beauty a textural richness and complexity that's rarely found in conventional white wines. Hailing from the sun-drenched region of Jumilla, this wine offers a fascinating alternative to more common whites. It's got enough character to intrigue seasoned wine enthusiasts but remains approachable enough for curious newcomers. Perfect for those moments when you think, 'I should probably branch out from my usual Sauvignon Blanc' – and trust us, you definitely should.