Exhibition “3000 Years Of Wine Culture in Alicante”

The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, together with the Councillor for Culture, Antonio Quesada, the President of the Designation of Origin Wines of Alicante, Eladio Martín, and the President of the Cajamar Foundation, José Juan Reus, inaugurated the outdoor travelling exhibition “3000 years of Alicante wine culture” on Paseo Vista Alegre, organised by the Regulatory Council of the Alicante PDO together with the Torrevieja Town Hall, where the vast wine-growing tradition of the area is recreated through contemporary illustrations.

The story is told by three important Alicante-born illustrators: Erre Gálvez, a native of Elda; Miguel Calatayud, one of Spain’s emblematic illustrators and Paula Alenda, each with their own personal style and technique.

The Alicante PDO is one of the oldest in the world. The brand name “Alicante” for wines produced in this area has been known since ancient times and has always been associated with a certain quality and style. This means that the designation has been recognised for 90 years.

The existence of vineyards and wineries dates back thousands of years. And with them the establishment of a culture associated with this crop which, together with olive and almond trees, is the basis of an original Mediterranean diet which is also protected today.

Amphorae, ships, exports, popular culture, guilds, bourgeoisie, recognition... The tradition of Alicante wine is punctuated by these suggestive themes and important milestones at all times.

Together with them, today this culture is people, villages, regions, valleys. It is Monastrell, Muscatel, Mediterranean, Vinalopó or Aitana. And a landscape to protect. A particularly sensitive sustainable crop. And a pleasure to be savoured with the rich and diverse gastronomy of Alicante.

Today, three generations of illustrators, with different styles and techniques, recreate this suggestive world and enhance the historical heritage of more than 3,000 years of Alicante wine history.

Some 10,200 hectares of vineyards, some 2,200 winegrowers and about 45 wineries today make up the Alicante Designation of Origin.

Spread over 7 production districts, which include landscapes protected by the regional government, and some 7 natural parks. Vineyards coexist with almond and olive groves or other fruit trees, which is why the landscape is so different from the wine imaginary in other countries. The towers of the castles coexist with the mountains near the sea, which marks the influence of all the wines.

The soils are dry, chalky and poor, but the vineyards are able to withstand drought or extreme temperatures in winter and summer. All of them are survivors. Alicante PDO wines are therefore different, expressive, fruity, suggestive. From the strength of a Monastrell influenced by the sea; the smoothness of a light, aromatic

Muscat; the tradition of sweet wines or the purity of a unique Fondillón.

The exhibition “3000 years of Alicante wine culture” will be at the Paseo Vista Alegre until the 8th of May.