Driven by their commitment to maximum quality and in a bid to offer the region’s wine the best possible market placement, the Regulating Council has recently reviewed its bylaws so as to include new varieties and new types of wine: liquor wine, oaked wine, traditional red and, the most recent addition, ‘Bobal Clásico’, an appellation designed to support the production of top-quality wine using old-stock Bobal.

The appellation’s excellent progress can be seen in their figures. Wine bottled over the past two years reached figures of 26 million bottles, of which over 15 million were sold abroad. Leading export markets within the UE are Germany, Denmark and the UK, though Switzerland, Canada, the US and Mexico are also relevant.

Another encouraging development is the ongoing registration of new wineries. Only ten years ago there were barely 75 members, with current figures reaching 110. There is sustained investment in improving facilities, with ageing vessels leaping from 21,000 just a year ago to the current 30,000.

This focus on quality, innovation and outreach has started bearing fruit in the form awards, both nationally and internationally. Recent prizes earned include Bacchus, Zarcillos, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles or the Bordeaux Challenge International du Vin. There is also growing acclaim for the Bobal variety, now Utiel-Requena’s unquestionable star product. In 2006 alone, the appellation’s wines came home with over 70 awards, including one Silver and one Gold at BioFach.