The Utiel-Requena Designation of Origin (DO) presented its Selected Wines and the 2026 Wine Agenda at an event held for the first time in Valencia. The decision was made to combine both presentations to broaden their reach.
The Regulatory Board conducts annual blind tastings with expert winemakers to select the wines that will represent the Utiel-Requena DO throughout the year. The wines chosen in the various categories act as ambassadors in promotional activities and receive a special label distinguishing them as the 2026 Selected Wine of the Utiel-Requena DO.
In this edition, the tasting panel consisted of tasters from the Association of Winemakers of the Valencian Community (AECV), with representatives from Alicante, Valencia, and Utiel-Requena. During the presentation, the president of the AECV, Rafael Ochando, spoke, highlighting the quality of the wines tasted and the work being done by the wineries of the Utiel-Requena DO.
The Selected Wines of the Utiel-Requena Designation of Origin 2026 are:
- Sparkling Wine Utiel-Requena: Bobal Brut – Vicente Gandia
- White Wine Utiel-Requena: Nodus Sauvignon Blanc – Bodegas Nodus
- Rosé Utiel-Requena: Alto Cuevas – Bodegas Covilor
- Single-Varietal Bobal Red Utiel-Requena: Bobos – Hispano Suizas
- Red Wine Utiel-Requena: Sueños del Mediterráneo – Bodegas Utielanas
A total of 59 wines from 29 wineries were submitted, highlighting the year-on-year increase in the number of wines presented, especially in the white and rosé categories.
Regarding the selection tasting, the tasters emphasized the overall high quality of the wines, with fresh and balanced whites, high-quality rosés, intense and well-structured reds, and single-varietal Bobal wines that faithfully reflect the identity of the variety. Sparkling wines also demonstrated remarkable potential and growth potential within the DO (Designation of Origin).
The president of the Regulatory Council, José Miguel Medina, expressed his satisfaction with the high participation of wineries, which present more wines each year, and thanked the AECV (Spanish Association of Winegrowers) for its collaboration and feedback on the tastings.
Continuing with the event, the 2026 Wine Agenda was also presented. This year, it includes more wineries and expands the information available to wine tourists, such as the languages in which tastings are conducted, the winery’s restaurant and accommodation options, and whether it holds the DO Utiel-Requena Winegrower distinction. New this year is the presentation of wine tourism activities categorized by municipality.
The Wine Agenda evolves and grows year after year. This edition features a striking cover with a fold-out flap and a highly visual design, as well as the recognition of Requena as the Spanish City of Wine 2026.
During the presentation, a round table discussion was held with the participation of Joaquín González, Deputy Mayor of Requena, who spoke about the city’s recognition and its importance for the development of wine tourism in the region. Jaime Nicolau, a journalist from the publication 5barricas, also participated, highlighting the significant role of wine tourism in the region and its growth in recent years.
The agendas will be available at all events of the Utiel-Requena Designation of Origin (DO), as well as in tourist offices, wine shops, the headquarters of the Regulatory Council, and digitally on the DO’s website. This will allow wineries, institutions, professionals, wine tourists, and wine lovers to access all the plans related to wine tourism and wine culture in our region.