Discovering Hondon Valley
We are going to start our first chapter of this blog talking about the traditions of Hondon Valley.
Land characterised by its delicious gastronomy and cultural traditions. We would like start this cycle with one of our prized gastronomic treasoures, the Monastrell wine, so much in demand among our European neighbours.
Would you like to discover it?
I. The wine Monastrell
Alicante is land of wine. From the vineyards of the Vinalopò Mitjà región to the Marina Alta, we can discover a wide range of crops, which guide us through the whole of Alicante.
Hondon Valley has always been characterised by this winemaking tradition. We have evidence that at the beginning of the 20th century or even before, 80% of the farmers ins Hondón de los Frailes had a wine cellar in their homes to make wine by hand, and then sell it through intermediaries. Traders from Orihuela, San Vicente del Raspeig and Alicante bought these wines.
In the mid 60's the union of the farmers of Hondón de los Frailes started the creation of the cooperative winery. Improvements were made to the machinery, gradually reaching the current level of automation. The winery sells to well-known Spanish wine companies for national and international consumption.
The native variety has always been Monastrell. A variety closely linked to the Mediterranean, characterised by wines of a strong dark violet colour, with great aromatic power.
Wines made from this grape have a certain intense flavour reminiscent of red fruits, plums, blackberries and even leather, if the wine is left to age. It is a variety with a high concentration of sugars, being wines that usually have a high alcohol content. This variety was used to make the famous sweet wine Fondillón, which in its period of splendour in the 15th century was one of the most expensive in Europe.
Nowadays, towns such as Pinoso, La Algueña, Hondón de las Nieves and La Romana have wineries and cooperatives where wine made from this variety can be purchased.
We leave you the link of wines from Alicante (DOP Alicante) so that you can know more.
