DO Sierras de Málaga

Key Points

Grape varieties: Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel de Alejandría, Chardonnay, Doradilla, Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Hectares planted: 1,300 Ha
Grape growers: 480
Wineries: 40

About

Rather than one single homogenous wine-growing area, Denominación de Origen Sierras de Málaga is actually spread across the province of Málaga, a bit like those other Mediterranean DOs of Alicante or Valencia. Vineyards cover seven different geographical areas: the hilly Axarquía (A-Shar-Kia) to the east of Málaga city, Costa Occidental, Manilva, Montes de Málaga, Norte de Málaga, Serranía de Ronda and the Sierra de las Nieves.

The first references to winemaking in the region date back to the time of the Phoenicians in around 800 BC, who as well as growing their own grapes also traded wine across the Mediterranean. Wine retained an important role subsequently in both Greek and Roman society, and grapes continued to be cultivated and raisin production grew during the Moorish occupation of Al-Andalus (7121 – 1492).

Wine culture continued after the Christian reconquest, as wine growers rights began to be formally recognized in the late 15th and early 16th century during the reign of Fernando and Isabella and afterwards during the reign of Philip III with the creation of the Hermandad Gremial de los Viñeros. The Hermandad, or Brotherhood, still exists to this day and paved the way for the creation of the modern day DOs of Málaga – famous for its rich fortified wines - in 1933 , and Sierras de Málaga in 2001 which is known for its still wines.

Geography

Much of Málaga may be by the sea, but the land rises quickly and steeply behind the coast, and much of the vineyard area, especially in places like the Axarquía or the Sierras de Ronda, is planted on steep slopes at between 600 and 1,000 metres above sea level. As a result, mechanization can be impractical and viticultura heróica (literally ¨heroic winemaking¨) the order of the day, so you’ll still find lots of winemakers tending the vineyards and harvesting by hand or with the help of their trusty donkeys!

Climate

At close to 37º latitude, it’s easy to label DO Sierras de Málaga as a clear warm climate wine growing area. But its position means it receives both Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, while that altitude helps ensure a good thermal range, with temperatures dropping at night which helps grapes ripen gently and gradually despite the summer heat.

Grapes

You’ll find a wide variety of native and international grape varieties in wines from Málaga, although examples of still wines made with Pedro Ximénez (called Pero Ximén in the Axarquía) or the aromatic Muscat of Alexandria abound. Look out too for harder to find grapes like Romé, Málaga’s only native red variety, or the white Doradilla – just 22 hectares planted in Spain, all in Andalucía! – which helps add volume and saline notes to white blends.

A vineyard in the autumn in the Spanish wine region of Alicante

DO Alicante

DO Alicante has had official status since the early part of the 20^th century. But, as elsewhere in Spain, in the last ten years the region has undergone something of a renaissance.

An old white cottage on the brow of a hill at sunset in the Spanish wine region of Bierzo

DO Bierzo

Sitting in the northwest corner of Castilla y León and bordering Galicia and Asturias to the north, Bierzo is something of a transition zone between the Atlantic and the Spanish interior.

VT Cadiz

VT Cádiz is currently Spain’s fourth largest IGP (Indicación Geográfica Protegida) and 80% of the production is centred on white wines made predominantly with the Palomino Fino grape.

A vineyard at Spanish Cava producers Bodegas Grimau

DO Cava

Cava is Spain’s most well-known sparkling wine. What many don't know is that it's also a DO in its own right. But unlike wines from other DOs, Cava is not made in just one geographical area.

A landscape shot of the Serra Llarga in the Spanish wine region Costers del Segre

DO Costers del Segre

Costers del Segre is one of ten DOs in Catalunya. The name literally translates as "banks of the Segre" which is one of the many tributaries which feed into the Ebro river.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Jumilla

DO Jumilla

Sitting in a hot and dry corner of Castilla La Mancha, Jumilla is a great place to explore fuller-bodied reds made from the Monastrell grape. But it also offers plenty of fresher wines from higher altitude plots that are well worth investigating.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Manchuela

DO Manchuela

Sandwiched between the coastal regions to the East and central Spain to the West, Manchuela has a long history of winemaking. It's famed for the Bobal grape, once a stalwart of bulk wine but now increasingly used to make some exceptional single varietal wines.

Barells in a wine cellar in the Spanish wine region of Sanlucar de Barrameda

DO Manzanilla - Sanlúcar de Barrameda

In 1935, Spain’s first Denominación de Origen, D.O. Jerez-Xéres-Sherry y Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda was created and then in 1964, in recognition of Manzanilla’s distinct profile, the separate DO Manzanilla – Sanlúcar de Barrameda was formed.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Montsant with mountains in the background

DO Montsant

Montsant is defined by mountains hills, ridges and slopes. The region can be divided into sub-zones from warmer, lower stretches in the south-west as the land falls away towards the Ebro river and higher, wilder areas to the north.

A vineyard at Bodegas Grimau in the Spanish wine region of Penedes

DO Penedès

Penedès is best known for Cava which was essentially invented by the Codorniu family in the 1870s in the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. But it's also worth trying some of the region's wonderful aromatic white wines.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Priorat

DOQ Priorat

Priorat is one of the 10 DOs in Catalunya and, along with DOCa Rioja, it’s one of the two wine-growing regions in Spain with "DO+" which means that, like Rioja, the rules are that little bit stricter for wines made here.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Rías Baixas

DO Rías Baixas

Rias Baixas is home to the excellent Albariño wines, but has a growing number of other interesting grapes to discover. With thousands of small growers and producers, making wonderful artisanal wines, it's definitely worth exploring.

Steeply sloping vineyards on the banks of a river in the Spanish wine region of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia

DO Ribeira Sacra

Ribeira Sacra is the only DO in Galicia specialising in red wines. This is the land of "heroic viticulture" where vineyards hang from the vertiginous banks of the Sil and Miño rivers calling for winemakers with a good head for heights!

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Ribeiro

DO Ribeiro

Ribeiro is the oldest of the five DOs in Galicia. With vineyards grouped along the three valleys formed by the Miño, Avia and Arnoia rivers, Ribeiro is well-known as for its wonderful, blended white wines made from native local grapes.

An aerial view of the River Duero in Spain

DO Ribera del Duero

After Rioja, Ribera del Duero is one of Spain’s best known wine regions. But despite a long winegrowing history, the region was only awarded DO status in 1982.

A landscape view of a vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Rioja

DOCa Rioja

One of the world’s best known and best loved wine regions, Rioja was one of the first regions in Spain to become an official DO almost a hundred years ago. Today, it’s on a par with other great wine-producing regions of the world.

Close up of vines in a vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Rueda

DO Rueda

Like many of Spain’s DOs, Rueda is an historic wine region with winemaking traditions that stretch back to the Middle Ages. The Rueda DO was created in the early 1980s, and these days is famed for its white wines made from the Verdejo grape.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Somontano

DO Somontano

Somontano’s broad identity makes it a comfortable entry-point for international wine lovers looking to familiarise themselves with Spanish wine. But it’s also a region with a deep winemaking history and lots of local colour and diversity.

DO Terra Alta

Terra Alta is a county defined by its Mediterranean agriculture. Covering some twelve towns with a combined population of around 12,000 people, the plains, plateaus and valleys are planted with olive and almond trees, but above all vines.

A vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Toro

DO Toro

Toro is "the other DO on the Duero", sandwiched between the more famous Ribera del Duero to the east and the Douro region just across the border in Portugal.

An aerial shot of vineyards in the Spanish wine region of Vinos de Madrid

DO Vinos de Madrid

Despite its best efforts, the Vinos de Madrid region is still relatively unknown even for wine drinkers in Madrid. Which is a real shame because the DO has got a lot to shout about.