P.O.D. Jumilla
A region with a millenary tradition linked to wine culture and home to Monastrell: VAEL could not happen anywhere but here
The Protected Origin Denomination Jumilla is located in south-eastern Spain. It covers a wide area in the north of Region of Murcia and the south-eastern part of the province of Albacete. It is an area characterized by high plateaus where vines grow surrounded by mountaints.
THE MONASTRELL VARIETY
We can find Monastrell vines mainly in south-eastern Spain, where it grows mainly in Jumilla. Being found more scarcely in surrounding regions such as Castilla La-Mancha and Comunidad Valenciana.
More than 93% of the Monastrell vines around the world are located in Jumilla. This is the reason to call Jumilla “the home of Monastrell”. At the same time, this grape variety can be found in other warm regions around the gloe such as California and Australia.
Monastrell grapes feature a long maturation long cycle. Which yields powerful wines like the ones to be expected in Jumilla, typically praised by experts. This link brings the expression “talking about Monastrell is the same as talking about Jumilla”.
A PRIVILEGED AREA
DOP Jumilla lays on the south-east of Spain, covering a large area on the north-east of the Region of Murcia and the south-east of the province of Albacete. It is a rural area where the vineyards spread along a high plateau surrounded by mountains.
Its soil is mostly brown, dark-chalky and chalky. It is generally capable of retaining large amounts of moisture and it features high permeability. Two qualities that allow the vineyards to survive prolonged drought periods. This soil is poor in organic matter, whose structure does not allow the transmission of phylloxera. It features high pH, low salinity, loamy and sandy-loam textures, favoring transpiration. DOP Jumilla vineyards are located in an altitude range between 400 and 800 meters above sea level.
HISTORY
Jumilla owns a millenary history, the oldest one in Spain, related to wine. It started when Iberians lived in what we know nowadays as Spain. The oldest findings are from 5000 years b.C. With the oldest remains of Vitis Vinifera (the vine plant) in Europe being found in Jumilla as well. After the Iberians, other communities such as Romans and Phoenicians continued their wine-making legacy.
It is considered it was Phoenicians who introduced Monastrell grapes in Spain for the first time. A grape variety that would then find its home in Jumilla. Thousands of years later, these grapes have also arrived to some far away places such as the United States and Australia.
The POD Jumilla was established in 1961. Starting its role as regulator in 1966. Making it one of the oldest ones in Spain.
It is to this millenary tradition, together with the 4-generations one of our family that VAEL pays tribute.
