Bobal, a very important Spanish dark-skinned grape variety which produces deep-coloured red wines and even grape concentrate in south east Spain, substantially but by no means exclusively for bulk wine production. In 2011 its plantings still totalled 67,411 ha/166,505 acres, making it Spain’s second most planted red wine grape after Tempranillo. Its reputation has been growing as producers such as Mustiguillo have managed to fashion velvety reds from high-elevation vineyards in utiel-requena. It retains its acidity better than monastrell, which tends to be grown in slightly warmer, more southerly parts of Spain, and is notably lower in alcohol. It is allowed in four do areas: Utiel-Requena, valencia, manchuela, and ribera del júcar. Drought-resistant, and always grown as unirrigated bush vines, Bobal is extremely sensitive to springtime cold spells. Young vines may ripen unevenly. Although more rustic than the internationally famous Grenache and Monastrell, Bobal wines are fresher, with fine colour, a good dark berry component, and an ability to transmit terroir.
