Alicante Sommeliers Select the Province's Finest Wines

The red wine "Caterina 2021" has won the Grand Gold, being the highest-rated wine by the Association of Sommeliers of the province, ASPA, in the sixth edition of their "Best DOP Alicante Wines" competition organised by both institutions.

At an event held at the Archaeological Museum of Alicante, MARQ, the medals were awarded for the 114 entries presented by a group of 22 wineries from all regions, attended by numerous authorities.

In the red wine category, alongside the Monóvar Monastrell, two other brands "Fuego Lento secano extremo 2020" from La Romana winery and "El Puntal 2023", a high-profile debut from Sierra de Cabreras de Salinas winery, were recognised. "Lo de Pepitín 23" from Colección Toneles and another "Fuego Lento 2018" received silver. "Salinas 1237" from MG Wines took bronze.

Two white wines achieved Gold. Another "Fuego Lento Ánfora 2024" and a more classic Muscat "Marina Alta colección 2024" from Bocopa. Silver went to the Viognier "Albakar" from Cup de la Muntanya and "La Viña de Mateo 2023", a Sauvignon from Francisco Gómez. Bronze was awarded to "Tarima Mediterráneo 2024".

The gold medal in rosés went to "l´Alba 2024" from Faelo. Silver medals were awarded to "Laudum rose" and "Plá de Lliber" from Bocopa and Xaló respectively, and bronze to "Tarima Rose" from Volver.

The categories of sweet and sparkling wines were dominated by Santa Catalina del Mañán, which won gold with "Gran Mañán moscatel" and also with "Terra del mañán Brut merseguera". Silver medals went to the late harvest Monastrell "Fuego Lento" and "Heretat de Almizra" from Bocopa; and bronze in sweet wines to "Vall de Xaló giró" and "Marina Espumante" from the Petrer winery.

In Fondillón, the gold went to "Gran Mañán solera 1980" and silver to "Laudum Gran solera 94" from Bocopa.

The jury for the awards consisted of a group of 30 qualified sommeliers conducting blind tastings in five sessions by blocks throughout May.

The awards ceremony also paid tribute to Mr. Enrique Mendoza, founder of the winery of the same name established in Alfaz del Pí in 1989, with a significant estate in Villena.

The tribute served as a powerful applause for this winery from the entire sector, recognising it as key in the generational shift of Alicante wines. Julián Mendoza, on behalf of his father, accepted the award with great gratitude and reflected on his father's beginnings, values, and career.

Various authorities gathered at this event, sponsored by the Alicante Provincial Council, with local development deputy Carlos Pastor praising the work being done at the end of the course with this event. Meanwhile, the Director of Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maria Ángeles Ramon-Llin, considered it necessary to continue working with awards and activities that add value to the wine sector.

The President of the Regulatory Council, Jose Juan Reus, thanked the work of the sommeliers, particularly ASPA, which he considers "part of our wine sector", as without their opinion and recognition "we would not be able to work alone".