El Derramador Utiel-Requena Reserva 1997
The El Derramador Utiel-Requena Reserva 1997 is a red wine produced by Torre Oria, an estate established in 1897. The wine is crafted from grapes grown specifically in the Derramador Valley, the very location within the Utiel-Requena Denominación de Origen where the winery is situated. Over its history, Torre Oria has garnered international recognition and several gold medals for its wine production.
Utiel-Requena is a historic Spanish wine region in the province of Valencia, located approximately 70 kilometers inland from the coast. The appellation, which gained DO status in 1957, is situated on a high plateau ranging from 600 to 900 meters above sea level. This elevation moderates the transitional climate, which blends Mediterranean influences with a harsh continental weather system. The area experiences long, hot, and dry summers, cold winters with frequent frost, and significant temperature variations between day and night. The vineyards are planted in well-drained soils composed primarily of limestone and clay. Winemaking in this region is deeply rooted in history, with archaeological finds documenting viticulture as far back as the 7th century BC, and it experienced a significant expansion in the 19th century when a railway connected the area to Valencia.
While Utiel-Requena is widely known as the home of the native Bobal grape, this specific 1997 Reserva is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Cabernet Sauvignon is globally recognized as one of the most prominent blue grapes for structured red wines, traditionally associated with regions such as Bordeaux, California, Washington, and Tuscany. It is blended with Merlot, another classic blue grape frequently cultivated in these areas as well as in Northern Italy. The wine is bottled at 12.5% alcohol and carries the official Reserva classification.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Utiel-Requena
Utiel-Requena is a Spanish wine region and Denominación de Origen located in the province of Valencia in the eastern part of the country. The region gets its name from the two neighboring towns of Utiel and Requena. Geographically, the area distinguishes itself from the nearby coastline by being located on a high-altitude plateau, typically between 700 and 900 meters above sea level, approximately 70 kilometers inland.
The climate in Utiel-Requena is a transition between a Mediterranean climate and a harsher continental climate. This results in long, hot summers and cold winters with frequent frost, as well as large temperature fluctuations between day and night. The soil consists predominantly of limestone and clay, which is well-drained and poor in organic material, creating favorable conditions for viticulture at altitude.
The wine tradition in the area stretches back more than 2,700 years, with archaeological finds documenting wine production all the way back to the 7th century BCE. The region experienced a particular golden age in the 19th century, when a railway connection to Valencia was established, and exports grew significantly. Utiel-Requena is today particularly known for its widespread use of the local grape variety Bobal, which historically has dominated the area's vineyards.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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Storage
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