W3 Wine School

Spanish Grapes

Bobal

Bobal

Bobal is a Spanish red wine grape, native to the Utiel-Requena region in Valencia.

It is Spain's third most planted grape variety behind Tempranillo and Airén.

Bobal Primary Aromas

Young Bobal wines often burst with fresh fruit flavors like dark cherry, raspberry, and blackberry. In mature wines, the fruit flavors are more concentrated and jammy, with plum and blackcurrant notes. A distinct licorice or anise flavor can sometimes be detected.

Black Cherry
Black
Cherry
Raspberry
Raspberry
Blackberry
Blackberry
Pomegranate
Pomegranate
Blueberry
Blueberry
Black Currant
Black
Currant
Plum
Plum
Licoricer
Licorice

A subtle floral note (violet) often adds an aromatic complexity to the wine. Notes of thyme, rosemary, or lavender can reflect the local terroir. Spicy pepper hints often add complexity in the most robust wines.

Violet
Violet
Herbs
Herbs
Pepper
Pepper

Secondary Aromas

In wines that undergo oak aging, cinnamon and clove notes can emerge, and you will find secondary flavors of chocolate, mocha, and coffee.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cloves
Cloves
Chocolate
Chocolate
Cocoa
Cocoa

TertiaryAromas

Barrel
Barrel
Dried Fruit
Dried Fruit
Leather
Leather

Bobal Profile

Bobal is naturally fruity and high in acidity:

BODY:Medium - Plus
TANNINS:Medium - Plus
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:Medium - High
ALCOHOL:12 - 13% ABV
Temperature Sugar: 3 g/l

Serving temperature:
15-16°C (59-61°F)

Bobal wines from Valencia offer a diverse and rich profile, characterized by a blend of fresh and jammy red and dark fruits, floral and herbal notes, and a firm tannic structure.

Bobal Food Pairing

Salami
Salami
Ham
Ham
Chicken
Chicken
Turkey
Turkey
Pork
Pork
Lamb
Lamb
Veal
Veal
Red Meat
Beef

Bobal is a food friendly wine.

Excellent Pairings

Smoked Meat.
BBQ. Chicken. Turkey.
Spicy Meatballs.
Moroccan Lamb Tagine.
Rabbit. Pork. Lamb. Veal.
Chargrilled. Roasted. Beef.

Cheeses

Medium Cheeses.
Manchego. Aged Gouda. Parmesan.

Spanish Specialities:
Valencian Paella (Authentic paella with Rabbit, Sausages, Chicken, and Garlic.

If You Like Bobal

You Might Also Like:

Barbera Superiore (Italy)
Bordeaux Right Bank (France)
Rosso di Montalcino (Italy)
Cannonau (Italy)
Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France)
Chianti Classico (Italy)
Duoro Tinto (Portugal)
Merlot (France)
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy)
Primitivo (Italy)
Ribeira Sacra (Spain)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Italy)
Zinfandel (USA)

The Ideal Glass for Bobal

The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.

The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance.

The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste.

About Bobal

Bobal is big in the Valencia region (DO Manchuela and DO Utiel-Requena).

The name is derived from latin "Bovale" (Bull's Head).

Bobal should not be confused with Bovale Grande and Bovale Sardo (Sardegna) in Italy.

Due to the similar name Bobal is often mistaken with Bovale grape from Sardegna. Recent studies showed that Bovale Grande is similar to Carignano, Cariñena and Mazuela.

Bobal has a special good acidity that helps in the winemaking process, especially for sparkling rosé wines (Rosado), and it's resistent to drought.

Known for bulk wine production, it can be vinified in a stronger version thanks to the "doble pasta" (double paste) method: the grape skins used to produce rosé are added to the red wine tanks, so the skin contact increases and adds color, tannins and alcohol.

About Bobal

Bobal is big in the Valencia region (DO Manchuela and DO Utiel-Requena).

The name is derived from latin "Bovale" (Bull's Head).

Bobal should not be confused with Bovale Grande and Bovale Sardo (Sardegna) in Italy.

Due to the similar name Bobal is often mistaken with Bovale grape from Sardegna. Recent studies showed that Bovale Grande is similar to Carignano, Cariñena and Mazuela.

Bobal has a special good acidity that helps in the winemaking process, especially for sparkling rosé wines (Rosado), and it's resistent to drought.

Known for bulk wine production, it can be vinified in a stronger version thanks to the "doble pasta" (double paste) method: the grape skins used to produce rosé are added to the red wine tanks, so the skin contact increases and adds color, tannins and alcohol.

Wine Region Valencia

Valencia

Valencia is a small wine region located at the sunny east coast of Spain.

It is known the world around for being the spiritual home of Paella.

Valencia DO

The most common wines in Valencia are white, like easy drinking wines made from Macabeo and the local Merseguera grape.

Easy drinking reds include Monastrell, Garnacha.

Keep an eye out for good quality sweet dessert wines like Moscatel de Alejandra.

Utiel-Requena DO

In Utiel-Requena, the Bobal grape variety occupies 80% of the vineyards.

Bobal is the second most planted red grape in Spain.

Alicante DO

As in other grape growing regions in Valencia region, Monastrell is the predominant variety, though Garnacha and Merseguera are also present.

Yecla DO

Yecla is notable for its extensive use of the red Monastrell grape, and it is traditionally known as the home of Monastrell in Spain.

Black Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

Monastrell
Bobal
Tempranillo
Garnacha
Cabernet Sauvignon

White Grapes

Sauvignon

Merseguera
Chardonnay
Sémillon
Macabeo (Viura)

Red Wines

Red Wine

Bobal
Monastrell
Garnacha
Tempranillo

White Wines

White Wine

Garnacha Blanca
Macabeo (Viura)
Chardonnay
Moscatel de Alejandra

Soil

Soil

Hilly
Clay
Limestone

Climate

Soil

Continental Climate
Long Hot Summers
Cold Winters

Mediterrian Climate in Coastal vineyards


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