Wine tourism
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- Created on Friday, 03 June 2011 09:52
- Last Updated on Friday, 22 July 2011 18:03
- Written by José Iglesias
The Vall de Pop in the Marina Alta joins the Alicante route for wines.
In this region of the Marina Alta the epicentre of wine production is in the Vall de Pop. A commonwealth of nine villages, which have grape vines that are centauries old as their seal of identity. Some wines that in a little over five years, have become a symbol in the Valencia Community, and are an important part of the Guarantee of Origin and a Quality of Wine from Alicante.
Now, in the Vall de Pop, their wines have become paramount in attracting tourists to some of the small villages. For this, a few kilometres from the internationally known coastline, they shout in all directions about the quality and their produce: the wine.
These villages have spent years re-inventing themselves, creating markets for Antique furniture like Xaló’s Saturday market or the hand crafted items sold in fairs like that of Lliber and the excellent rural accommodations.
The moment has arrived to include these wines as a tourist attraction, because the wine culture forms part of the history and because in the Vall de Pop, they are producing award winning wines recognised in Spain and abroad.
The latest achievement for the villages in the Vall de Pop is to join an association that designed the wine route through Alicante, and from the third of May, Xalo Parcent, Alcalalí, Benissa, Lliber, Benigembla, Mural, Senija and Castell de Castells, can count on the promotional support of this route which forms part of our trip for today.
A weekend, for example, of tranquillity between grapevines, wines, antiques, history and the culture which surrounds the riverbank of the Gorgos or Jalon (Xalo) River.
The production of wine in the Marina Alta is a tradition that was born centauries ago with the variety of Muscat grapes that was cultivated in the old Alexandria. A table white grape is a Muscat grape which opened the door to the raisin business in the XIX centaury and which was pivotal in The Marina Alta’s economy.
And now it’s these wines that are opening new commercial horizons throughout Spain by being awarded some of the most prestigious prizes.
To get to the Vall de Pop from Benissa, Gata or Pedreguer, from the closest coastal towns, take exit 63 from the toll road AP7 and enter, from the town of Benissa, the valley where the Mediterranean heat grants optimal conditions to cultivate the Muscat grape.
Go through Benissa to take the CV-750 road to Xalo, a village presided over by the large blue dome of Saint Mary’s church, built in 1831.
The best welcome presentation is in the Wine Museum in Xalo where they demonstrate the history of wine production in the village and its surrounding area. Because walking through Xalo is to enjoy different enoteca's, like Casa Alleluyah or the Cellar Vinyater, is to open the senses to the aromas of traditional wines.
But to truthfully understand about the valley it is best to enter the wine cellars. In Xalo there is Riko or those of the Co-operative Virgen Pobre, now BodegasXalo, where you can try the decanted wines from the same barrel in which they rest and acquire consistency. The award winning wines are: Bahía de Dénia 2009 which was awarded Emerald price in the Bacchus de Plata 2010 or the RiuRau, awarded Diamand, amongst others.
You cannot leave this wine cellar without trying the vermouth Vall de Xalo, created with the handmade techniques and herbs of La Marina that gives it a special flavour.
Las Provincias
9/7/2010
José Iglesias