Alicante DO

Alicante is a Spanish DO for wines located in the province of Alicante. There are two distinct sub-zones: Vinalopó, which extends along the banks of the River Vinalopó in the southern area of the province, where the Monastrell grape variety is predominant; and the smaller and newer sub-zone known as La Marina, along the coast in the northern area of the province, where the Moscatel grape variety is predominant. Alicante has a long history of grape growing and wine production, which was probably introduced by the ancient Romans. The Golden Age of Alicante wines was during the 16th and 17th centuries, when they were imported to northern Europe by English, Swedish and Flemish merchants. The soils are mainly dark lime bearing soils on subsoils of sedimentary rock. They are quite loose and sandy with almost no organic material present.