There's a place where time seems to stand still, where each vineyard tells a story etched into the earth, where every sip of wine carries the whispers of centuries past. Welcome to the Jumilla wine region, a hidden gem that certainly defied my best expectations and beckons to be explored to the depths of its terroir, history, and its wines that emerge from its sun-soaked embrace.
I’ve followed a masterclass on Jumilla, hosted by the Dutch Master of Wine, Cees van Casteren. It was truly an exciting experience to discover the region through the carefully selected wines by Cees. It was all about Jumilla’s King of varieties that was being showcased here, Monastrell or maybe known to you by Mourvèdre. We’ve tasted so many different styles during this class. From fresh and fruit forward wines to even Vin Doux Naturel made wines from Monastrell. From modern style wines to its traditional styles and a natural wine. There was something every moment to keep on exciting your taste buds. Before I’ll take you to my personal tasting notes, let me share some insights on Jumilla as an amazingly exciting Spanish wine region.
A Spanish Gem in the World of Wine
Nestled within the sun-kissed landscapes of southeastern Spain lies the hidden gem of Jumilla, a region steeped in winemaking tradition and renowned for its bold and distinctive wines. With a rich history dating back centuries, Jumilla has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of Spanish wine, captivating enthusiasts, like me, with its unique terroir, diverse grape varieties, it is not all about Monastrell, and surely innovative winemaking techniques.
Jumilla’s Terroir Being the Essence Behind its Wines.
Situated in the province of Murcia, Jumilla benefits from an ideal combination of geographical features and climate conditions that are conducive to grape cultivation. The region's rugged terrain, characterised by rolling hills and limestone mountains, provides ample opportunities for vineyards to thrive. At the heart of Jumilla's winemaking identity lies its diverse terroir and unique soils, which impart a distinct sense of place to its wines. The region has 22,400 hectares of vineyards.
- Jumilla has a semi-desert climate with Mediterranean influences, throughout the year the average temperature is about 15°C degrees. But during the scorching hot summer months it can become up to 40°C, and in wintertime it can be as cold as minus 10°C. There are hardly 4 seasons known to the region.
- The region is a ‘transitional’ area between the Mediterranean and the Mesetas of La Mancha. There are broad valleys that can stretch as far as the eye can see, dried out water basins and plains surrounded by mountain ridges with peaks leading up to 1,380 meters in the sky.
- High altitude vineyards are quite prominent to the region, you can find vineyards from 400-900 meters above sea level, with slight slopes aiding in better sun exposure to the vines.
- Did you know, the region hosts a lot of pre-phylloxera vines. Due to its soil’s composition of being quite sandy, something phylloxera doesn’t like so much.
- There is a predominance of limestone, chalk rich soils with a lot of boulders, some parts even entail some volcanic soils. The soil has a high-water retention rate, but also good drainage.
- There is little precipitation throughout the year, and if it falls it is mainly during the winter months, there is roughly about 300mm rainfall per year. However, there is a cooling morning mist and dew covering the vines. There is no permanent water supply available to the region. There are a lot of dried-up rivers/Ramblas: e.g. Navajuelos, Minateda, del Judío, La Raja.
- In Jumilla you’ll find hardly any irrigation systems provided, so yields are quite low. About 3,000-5,000 kg/ha.
- In Jumilla you can say that the grapes are covered in sunshine all day, per year there are up to 3,000 hours of sun. To give some comparison; Bordeaux receives about 2,150 hours, Mendoza about 2,850 hours, Marlborough about 2,450 hours and Stellenbosch has 3,100 hours of sunshine.
- The region has the perfect natural conditions for organic farming, low disease pressure. Dry circumstances and continues wind blowing through the region. Did you know that 70% of Jumilla’s growing region is organic? Jumilla is a true pioneer in Spain when it comes to organic farming.
- They have quite the sustainable vineyard management set-up; they use hardly any additions of fertilizer, no water (dry farming) and no use of chemicals.
- The traditional training method you will find here the most is Gobelet.
- If there aren’t any vines planted, you will find olive groves and almond trees. The rest of the landscape is filled with rosemary bushes, thyme, oregano and Esparto grass, the latter is frequently used to make Espadrilles.
All these aspects of terroir, result in wines that are rich in minerality, with layers of complexity and depth. Additionally, the low rainfall and high levels of sunlight in Jumilla contribute to the concentration of flavours in the grapes, yielding wines of exceptional quality and character that have incredible ageing potential.
Monastrell: The Heartbeat of Jumilla's Terroir
Here, the Monastrell grape reigns supreme, an emblem of resilience and vitality that thrives under the arid Spanish sun. It accounts for at least 77% of all vineyard plantings, so you can say that the heart of Monastrell beats here. As Jumilla.wine puts it, “Monastrell – The Perfect Fit for Jumilla”. Be reminded, Jumilla is not all about Monastrell, it also boasts a diverse array
of grape varieties, each contributing its own unique flavours and characteristics to the wines. Let me give you a brief insight into how different varieties grown in the region translate into amazingly interesting wines.
Jumilla’s red varieties
Following Monastrell, the primary red grape varieties cultivated in Jumilla include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Garnacha Tintorera. Additionally, smaller proportions of Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, Merlot, and Petit Verdot are also grown in the region.
- Monastrell exhibits powerful tannins, intense aromatic qualities, and medium acidity, it has an almost sensual, warm, and complex profile, characterised by a silky mouthfeel that is both enveloping and seductive.
- Syrah is known for its distinctive style and character, it presents his trademark purple hue and entices aromas of toffee, violets, blueberries, and cherries. Its incomparable body and colour contribute to a wine that is both bold and captivating.
- Cabernet Sauvignon offers elegance and character, it is sophisticated and yet powerful, leaving a striking impression on the palate with its full-bodied nature. Intense layers of cherry and blueberry flavors define this exceptional varietal.
- Garnacha Tintorera with its fleshy texture and brilliant purple colour. It is fresh, easy-to-drink, and adorned with fruity, floral hints. Its velvety complexity makes for a captivating experience.
- Garnacha displays great character and intense aromatics, revealing notes of sweet raspberries and exudes a delightful delicacy that is both pleasant and inviting.
- Tempranillo balancing its finesse and power, with a smooth texture and beguiling aromas of cherries, blackberries, and plums, creating an alluring sensory experience.
- Merlot from Jumilla is elegant and refined, it charms with delicate tannins and a silky texture that culminates in a seductive finish of flowers and wild red berries, offering a truly sophisticated wine.
- Petit Verdot a full-bodied and fleshy wine, caressing the palate with a silky mouthfeel and hints of plums and violets. Bold in character, it unfolds with notes of forest fruit, leaving a lasting impression.
Jumilla’s white grape varieties
The once-overlooked Airén, known for its subtle profile, faced a decline in popularity as wineries turned to the aromatic allure of Sauvignon Blanc. However, a resurgence of interest in Airén has taken hold, alongside other varietals like Macabeo, Moscatel De Grano Menudo, Chardonnay, Pedro Ximénez, Verdejo, and Malvasía.
- Airén exhibits a delicate profile bursting with fruity nuances, notably citrus, complemented by a gentle acidity and a subtle sweetness, offering an enchanting natural charm.
- Macabeo is characterised by its restrained and ethereal nature, it delights the senses with delicate citrus and white fruit aromas, accented by floral and anise notes, culminating in an irresistible finish.
- Sauvignon Blanc gives an almost zingy intensity, showing exotic tropical aromas, such as passion fruit and grapefruit, underscored by a refreshing crispness that never fails to impress.
- Moscatel de Grano Menudo Teasing the palate with seductive floral and honeyed notes, it offers a sweet yet balanced experience, exuding elegance, and tenderness.
- Chardonnay is infused with hints of tropical fruit and spice, Chardonnay presents a flavorsome and smooth profile, earning its reputation as the quintessential white wine.
- Pedro Ximénez offers an easy-drinking and fragrant experience, with its enchanting fruity aromas reminiscent of spices, honey, and candied apples, flooding your mouth with delightful sensations.
- Verdejo boasts a flawless texture and vibrant flavours, it’s filled with citrus and green fruit aromas, delivering a refreshing minerality and pure pleasure with every sip.
- Malvasía is aromatic, fresh, and versatile, they offer a balanced and silky palate experience, with a gentle structure giving them an easy-drinking appeal.
Quick insight in Jumilla’s Wine and Market Numbers
- 90% red wine production
- 5% white wine production
- 4% rosé production
- 1% production of sweet wines
- Jumilla Exports about 70% of their wines, and their top markets are:
USA, Germany, China, UK, Canada, Lithuania. - 30% of their produce is sold throughout Spain.
Why We All Should Start Drinking Wines from Jumilla
The wine culture in Jumilla may be over 5,000 years old, and only becoming an official PDO in 1966, it is just over the last 25 years that Jumilla has undergone a remarkable transformation. Evolving from a traditional bulk wine region to a dynamic scenery of innovation and creativity. With advancements in viticultural practices, sustainability initiatives, and a renewed focus on
quality over quantity, Jumilla has emerged in the Spanish wine industry. Today, the region's winemakers continue to push boundaries, experimenting with new techniques and varietals while remaining true to the time-honoured traditions that have defined Jumilla for centuries.
In a world overflowing with wine options, the wines from Jumilla stand out for their exceptional quality and price value, showing such distinctive character. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a casual wine enthusiast, Jumilla offers something for everyone! From bold and robust reds to crisp and refreshing whites. By embracing the wines of Jumilla, not only are
you indulging in a true taste of Spain's winemaking heritage, but you are also supporting a region that is dedicated to producing wines of unparalleled excellence. So, raise a glass to Jumilla and discover the magic of this hidden gem in the world of wine. Cheers!
The wines we've tasted during the masterclass.
Pio del Ramo Chardonnay Barrica 2020
[100% Chardonnay, 70% French 500L oak barrels, 4 months of Sur Lie] – Modern Style
My Tasting Note: Medium lemon colour, powerful wine, smooth, round mouthfeel, dry, medium acidity, lacks little freshness, great length. Flavours of lemon peel, apricots, peach, pineapple, toast, brioche, vanilla.
El Trio del Carro 2017 Bodegas Arloren 14%
[Blend: Syrah, Monastrell, Petit Verdot]
My Tasting Note: Medium ruby colour, salty on the nose, black fruit, blackcurrants, bramble, blackberry, herbal, bay leaves, liquorice, something sweet on the back palate. Medium body, fruit forward, light in style, fresh. Medium finish. Soft tannins.
Fuerza 2019 – 14.5%
[Bend: Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon | 30 days of skin soaking at 28 °C | Aged on American and French oak for 12 months]
My Tasting Note: Medium ruby colour. Ripe black fruit on the nose, blackcurrants, blackberry, plums, fresh, cocos, vanilla. Medium+ body, medium+ tannins, medium + length, not a heavy wine. Well balanced.
Alceño Eleccíon Limitada 2018 – 14.5%
[Blend: Monastrell, Syrah, Tempranillo, Garnacha | Cold soaking, d’Elestage, Malolactic fermentation on American oak, 18 months ageing on French oak.]
My Tasting Note: Medium+ ruby colour. Herbal, liquorice, ripe black fruit, vanilla, cocos. High concentration of flavours, dry wine, great acidity levels, smooth integrated tannins.
Bodegas Luzon Portí 2017 – 15%
[Blend: 80% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon | aged for 2 years on 60% French oak and 40% American oak.]
The Monastrell comes from the La Traviesa vineyards with 45-year-old vines. Hoya Santa Ana, 550m altitude, large pebbles. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Las Piedras vineyards. Guyot trained vines being 18 years old at Castillo Madax, at 700m altitude with large pebbly soils.
My Tasting Note: Ruby red. Herbal, ripe black fruit. Good concentration of flavours, smooth and velvety, very well integrated tannins, high alcohol but hardly detectable. Powerful, full-bodied wine yet still refreshing. Aging did its thing.
Bodegas Xensyal Rango 2017 - 15.5%
[Blend: Monastrell, Syrah | 100% ungrafted vines >50yo. | 800m altitude | Stainless steel fermentation, 11 months on French and American barriques.]
My Tasting Note: Ruby red colour, smells like port. Raisins, dried black fruits, plums, blackberries, black cherries. Liquorice, hazelnuts. High alcohol, full body, long finish, lacks freshness. sticky teeth. Drink the wine now, on its peak.
Bodega La Ermita Monastrell 2019
[100% Monastrell | fermentation on foudres at 28°C degrees] - classic style Jumilla
My Tasting Note: deep ruby colour, on the nose, ripe / dried fruits like figs, raisins, liquorice, blackberries, black plums. Full bodied, dry, high alcohol, heavy oak, some kind of sweetness cherries / strawberries on the back of the palate. lingering. good integration of oak, and tannins.
Bodegas Sierra Norte, Equilibrio 9 meses 2019
[100% Monastrell | Single vineyards 600m altitude, sand / loam, 40yo vines. | Cold soak for 4 days and 10 days fermentation | 2 years at 60% American oak | 40% French oak for 9 months] My Tasting Note: Deep ruby colour, fresh red and black fruits, plums, blackberries, subtle oak influence. Good integration of flavours. Liquorice, bay leaves.
Bodegas Cerròn La Servil 2020 – Jumilla’s “Grand Cru” growing area
[Blend: Field blend with 96% monastrell and other indigenous varieties like Blancuilla, Moravia, Agria, Rojal | 70–80-year-old vines, 960m altitude.]
My Tasting Note: Deep ruby colour, exciting in the nose! Ripe fruit flavours, minerality, subtlety, blackberry, raspberry, liquorice, herbal, red cherries, clean, fresh, exciting. Bold, medium+ body, smooth integrated tannins, lingering finish. Exciting complexity! Beautifully balanced acidity.
BSI (co-operation), Gémina 2019 - 14%
[100% monastrell, 100% old vines | ageing 8 months on American/French oak]
My Tasting Note: deep ruby colour, nose smells fortified, dried raisins, chocolate, liquorice, greenish, cocos, vanilla, hazelnuts. Medium + body, commercial wine, totally not boring, lingering finish, technical.
Bruma Paraje Marín 2021 - 15%
[100% monastrell | Northern slopes, to receive lesser sun hours | vines are planted on both sides of the valley. Those from the east get more shade, give more freshness, minerality and elegance to the wine. Those from the west side, more sunshine, give more ripe fruit and body to the wine.]
My Tasting Note: deep ruby colour, black fruit, ripe, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, smooth tannins but soft, some residual sugar, medium + body due to the high alcohol, otherwise it lacks a little on the mid palate. This is just a fine example of a good well-made wine.
Carchelo Altico Syrah 2018
[100% Syrah, fermentation and soaking for 30 days on 28°C | 700m altitude | 12m French oak. Carche valley, nearby Valencia] - between classic and modern style syrah
My Tasting Note: deep ruby colour. Ripe, dried fruit, high concentration on the nose of black fruits, slightly Brettanomyces, but subtle, vanilla. Residual sugar, sweet on the back palate, strawberries, cherries. medium + body, good acidity, well integrated, personally not my wine, good finish.
Bodegas San Dionisio (Co-operation) Mainetes 2019 - 15%
[100% Petit Verdot | 30 days skin soaking, aged on new American oak for 9 months]
My Tasting Note: deep purple colour, good concentration on the nose of black fruits, acidity medium, well integrated tannins, bit drying, medium+ body, great finish. Juicy.
Inaudita 2019 (natural wine) – 14.5%
[100% Petit Verdot | 900m altitudes | 50% clay amphora / 50% stainless steel | 11m on French oak 300L]
My Tasting Note: Sour cherries on the nose, blackberries, elderberries, liquorice, slightly Brettanomyces, mousiness. funky wine. Medium body, medium + acidity, medium + finish. Not pure on the nose or palate, bitters on the palate.
Olivares 2017 - Vin Doux Naturel – 16%
[100% monastrell, 100% old vines | November harvest | 825m altitude, overripe fruit, 30d soaking, mutage, 2 years cement and bottle ageing]
My Tasting Note: Deep ruby colour, sweet wine liquorice, ripe/dried figs, blackberries, raisins, chocolate, mocha, vanilla. super sweet, good medium acidity, lacks little freshness, good
integration of tannins. full bodied.
NOTE: Property of photos is CRDOP Jumilla, and please, refer author: Landscape Photos by: Juan Palao; Guarafía producciones