DOP Alicante Investigates Best Monastrell Grapes in Unique Clonal Selection Project

The Alicante Designation of Origin is launching a pioneering project to identify and select the most outstanding Monastrell grape varieties.

Generic image of a glass of Monastrell red wine with vineyards in the background.
IA

Generic image of a glass of Monastrell red wine with vineyards in the background.

The Alicante Designation of Origin (DOP Alicante) has launched an innovative project focused on the clonal selection of the Monastrell grape variety, aiming to identify and enhance the region's most outstanding vines.

This pioneering project, driven by DOP Alicante, seeks to deepen the understanding of Monastrell, the region's quintessential native grape. It employs clonal selection techniques to identify plants with superior characteristics in terms of quality, aromatic expression, and aging potential.
Clonal selection involves isolating and multiplying the most representative parts of a mother plant to produce new vines that are genetically identical and possess exceptional qualities. The goal is to improve the consistency and uniqueness of wines made from Monastrell, thereby bolstering the reputation of DOP Alicante in both domestic and international markets.
The research is being conducted across various estates in the province of Alicante. Parameters such as yield, plant health, grape ripeness, and the organoleptic qualities of the must and resulting wine will be analyzed. The findings from this study will be crucial for guiding future plantings and winemaking decisions.