The Monastrell Spain Association was created with the aim of making known Monastrell variety, disseminating its value and promoting its wines in national and international markets. To achieve this, the Denominations of Origin Alicante, Almansa, Bullas, Jumilla, Valencia and Yecla have joined forces to be the main ambassadors of this Mediterranean variety.
Six Denominations of Origin, from three Autonomous Communities – Castilla-La Mancha, Comunidad Valenciana and Region de Murcia – have agreed to create this non-profit association and position the Monastrell grape as one of the great Spanish varieties which, with its distinctive characteristics, is the fourth most important red grape variety in Spain.
The Monastrell Spain Association was created in 2019 but the pandemic delayed its launch. Now, within the framework of the FENAVIN fair, the place chosen for its launch, it is officially presented to publicize its objectives and activities: to disseminate and promote Monastrell wine and grapes in national and international markets, as well as to contribute to improving the commercial, productive and innovation competitiveness of the wineries and winegrowers it brings together.
The six Denominations of Origin have joined to place this important variety, which has the greatest presence in their areas, prominently on the wine map. This is a firm commitment to make this variety and its wines known in the different markets, to reach the wine-loving public and to identify Monastrell as a grape of present and future, with many options and nuances to make it a reference variety in quality wines.
The Monastrell that unites us
99% of the plantations of this variety in Spain are located in the Autonomous Communities of Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia and Murcia. It is a delicate cultivar that needs high temperatures for its good development. It is very resistant to wind, has low yields and is very well adapted to dry climates.
It produces musts suitable for the production of high quality wines, very expressive and with aromatic potential. It is also a very appropriate grape for carbonic maceration wines or sweet wines. Monastrell is the fourth most widely planted red grape variety in Spain and the sixth of the total number of plantations. Together, these six Denominations of Origin account for 29,171 hectares, which represents 80% of the cultivated area in Spain. The range of wines
made from Monastrell includes rosés, reds, sweet wines, liqueur wines and Fondillón from Alicante.
Promotion and dissemination of the Monastrell variety
The union of a group of different Denominations of Origin from several Autonomous Communities around a grape variety is a unique initiative in Spain. Its raison d’être is to enhance the value of a common heritage: a singular grape from a well-defined territory in the Southeast of Spain, a transition zone between the Castilian plateau and the Mediterranean.
In order to achieve its objectives, it will jointly promote participation in promotional programs, fairs, exhibitions and markets, contribute to the dissemination of wine culture and establish relationships with other associations in the same field of interest. Finally, special emphasis will be placed on promoting and working to maintain and strengthen the natural and environmental viticultural heritage and to promote rural and landscape development. “Sabe a sol” is the slogan that identifies the wines of Monastrell España and that will accompany the activities carried out by the Association. An invitation to enjoy and live, to consume the fruit of our Mediterranean nature.
Silvano García Abellán, president of D.O. Jumilla and of the Association, has been in charge of representing it in the event held in the framework of Fenavin 2022 in which he has highlighted that “the association Monastrell Spain is born from the effort of six Denominations of Origin united by the same vocation: to make our Monastrell known in the world, to protect the landscapes where it is born and our winegrowers take care of the vineyards. Our Monastrell is synonymous with sustainability, a rustic variety, perfectly adapted to the land from which it originates and from which exceptional fruits are obtained that give rise to wines with a Mediterranean personality. From the association we want to be an example of joint work, without administrative borders, in favor of the heritage that unites us, the Monastrell and its wines.”
The presentation of the Monastrell Spain Association was also attended by representatives of the three Autonomous Communities: on behalf of Castilla – La Mancha, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Francisco Martínez Arroyo; on behalf of the Ministry of the Valencian Community, the Director General of Rural Development, David Torres García; and from the Region of Murcia, the Minister of Water, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Environment, Antonio Luengo Zapata.
For more information:
Monastrell Spain Association – Jordi Vidal – info@monastrell.org – Phone number – 659 222 294
10vcomunicacion – Victoria Díez – victoria@10vcomunicacion.es – Phone number – 629 789 802
