Wine Promotion Accord

rounded and full bodied in the mouth

The Hotel owners of Benidorm and the local wine producers have come to an agreement to promote the wines of the Alicante region in their hotels. The wine producers would obviously like to see more of their wines consumed locally and the hoteliers think that their clients would like to try some of the excellent wines produced nowadays.

The last harvest was particularly good so wine fans should really enjoy this years vintage from the Alicante Denominación de Origen. All three colours are produced here and here's our synopsis – try saying that after 4 glasses of Fondillón.

Red – produced from traditional grapes like Monastrell, Tempranillo, Garnacha and more famous varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

They're ruby red, have intense flavour with fruity undertones, are balanced, rounded and full bodied in the mouth.

Rosé – from the same grapes as the reds these wines are clean, clear and with a range of fruity flavours from cranberry through to cherry. They have an intense fruity aroma and are really fresh flavoured.

White – fragrant, fruity and pale yellow when young the wines assume a golden colour when mature. Wines familiar to the British palate – Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are now produced.

Fondillón – by Royal Appointment, this wine, exclusive to the Alicante area, has been swigged by Kings and Cardinals through the ages. Made form Monastrell grapes it is matured in oak for at least 10 years and has a high alcohol content at 18%.

So now you can do an Oz Clarke and Jilly Goolden next time you're in Benidorm!

8 February 2007 Stephen White.