Spain’s biggest port and third largest city, also lends its name to an autonomous region and one of five wine denominations (see do) in the Comunidad Valenciana region (see map under spain). The vineyards are well away from the city, inland from the fertile market gardens and paddy fields bordering the Mediterranean. Production of white wine exceeds red. Neutral dry whites are made from the merseguera grape, although the local Moscatel Romano (muscat of alexandria) produces some good, pungent dessert mistelas. monastrell and the dark-fleshed Garnacha Tintorera (alicante bouschet) together produce rather coarse red wines, although the latter can produce some fresh, dry rosé. Five large producers dominate Valencia and the surrounding DOs.
