vinos de Málaga

The best wines of Malaga (and where to drink them)

You may not know that Malaga is a land of great wines. Or maybe you do, depending on how much you know about this area! Well, we want to introduce you to another of our treasures: the wines of Malaga. In this post we will try to talk about the main wines of these lands, so that you can bring a souvenir to that wine lover when you come back from your holidays. But we are also going to discover you some special places to have a glass of wine while you walk around the city.

What types of wine are there in Malaga?

There are, in essence, two denominations of origin: D.O. Málaga and D.O. Sierras de Málaga.

Wines with D.O. Málaga

Within this classification are the most famous Malaga wines. Among them are those sweet wines that are so well known, especially at times like our Fair. They are aperitif wines, although experts say that they go perfectly with fatty products, such as foie gras, blue cheeses and chocolate. Also, of course, with fruit. Which are the most famous Malaga wines?

Lágrima

This wine is made with a must obtained without mechanical pressure. It is then aged for more than two years. The most famous is probably that of the Quitapenas winery.

Pajarete

It is a liqueur wine or natural sweet wine with a high sugar content, but made without the addition of syrup. Its colour is amber or dark amber, and it is also subjected to an ageing process.

Pedro Ximénez

It is probably one of the most famous wines outside our country. Pedro Ximénez is highly appreciated not only as an aperitif wine, but also for the preparation of complex haute cuisine dishes. It is a sweet wine made from the sultana grape of the same name, which has been dried in the sun.

Vinos típicos de Málaga

Muscatel

With similar organoleptic properties to Pedro Ximénez, Muscatel has a different production process (addition of alcohol to the grape must, not sultanas).

Golden, red, dark, black

These are liqueur wines, subject to ageing and with different additions of syrup, depending on the variety (the four we indicate, depending on the colour).

Pale Cream

This wine can be a liqueur wine, naturally sweet or naturally sweet. It is very popular during the Fair, and has no added grape syrup, although its natural sugar content exceeds 45 grams per litre.

There are more varieties: dry pale, sweet, cream… If you like sweet wines, you will love any of them

Wines with D.O. Sierras de Málaga

Here we enter a completely different territory. Although sweet wines are especially famous in this area (especially in La Axarquía, where there is a sultana and wine route), the D.O. Sierras de Málaga wines are something else. First, because they are, perhaps, less known (unfairly, by the way). Secondly, because here we are talking about white and red wines (also some rosés), not sweet or liqueur wines.

Fame on the rise

These Malaga wines have been gaining special prominence in recent times. Firstly, because their production tends to come from small, artisanal bodegas, where great care is taken in the process. Secondly, because most of them are turning out to be exquisite wines, much appreciated by wine lovers. But, in addition, the Sabor a Málaga label is promoting them a lot, so we hope that they will become famous, because they really deserve it.

Some of the most commonly used grapes

Apart from some varieties with Pedro Ximénez and muscatel grapes, the preferred grapes in D.O. Sierras de Málaga wines are syrah, tempranillo, merlot, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay?

What are the D.O. Sierras de Málaga wines like?

The white wines have yellow tones, and are elegant, fruity and fresh, with acid tones. The reds, on the other hand, are defined as “full-bodied, well-structured wines, in which mineral and terroir flavours and aromas predominate”.

The best wineries of Malaga wines

Recently, expert tasters have chosen, in a blind tasting, the best wines in the area, so we’ll let those in the know give you an idea when it comes to buying a bottle of wine.

Excelencia Winery

Their wine Rondarte 2015 has been chosen as the best Sierras de Málaga red wine up to six months.

Cortijo La Fuente

The red Crianza Cortijo La Fuente 2014 was chosen as the best Sierras de Málaga red wine of more than six months.

Lunares de Ronda

Its white Lunares Blanco 2016 was, for the jury, the best white D.O. Sierras de Málaga.

Dimobe

This winery has the Piamater 2013, chosen as the best sweet white D.O. Málaga.

Tierras de Mollina

In their catalogue they have Carpe Diem Málaga Trasañejo, which has been named best liqueur wine D.O. Málaga.

Where to enjoy the best wines of Malaga?

Antigua Casa de Guardia: the tavern with the greatest tradition

Si quieres tomar un moscatel o un pajarete con sabor clásico, tienes que visitar la Antigua Casa de Guardia, fundada a mediados del siglo XIX y que fue proveedora nada menos que de la reina Isabel II de España. Un lugar con solera, donde quedan a la vista las botas (los barriles en los que reposa el vino) y lo convierte en un espacio mítico.If you want to have a Moscatel or a pajarete with a classic flavour, you must visit the Antigua Casa de Guardia, founded in the mid-19th century and which was a supplier to none other than Queen Isabella II of Spain. A place with a long tradition, where the casks (the barrels in which the wine rests) can be seen, making it a mythical place.

Bodegas Quitapenas: an unavoidable stop

As well as selling their own wines, the Quitapenas wineries are places you absolutely have to visit. The ones in the historic centre, on Sánchez Pastor and Marín García streets, ooze authenticity. A glass of one of their home-produced wines and a tapa of a typical Malaga dish will take you back to 19th-century Malaga.

Los Patios de Beatas: a journey to the centre of oenological pleasure.

Just 50 metres from the Picasso Museum, in the heart of the historic centre, stands this privileged place. Built in two architecturally protected buildings, from the 18th and 19th centuries respectively, you can choose from a wide range of top quality wines. And to accompany them, if the customer so desires, with creative dishes in perfect pairing. Julián Sanjuán, the sommelier, is the perfect host for anyone who wants to enjoy the perfect glass of wine.

Vináliti, the temple of wine

In Calle Salinas there is a whole world created around wine. Its name, Vináliti. For starters, it is located right in the centre, so access to the place is very easy. And once there, what can you do? Well… almost anything. Because Vináliti is a place to learn about wine. You can sign up for one of their courses and learn more about this world. Or enjoy a wine tasting. These are paired with a dinner. They also organise visits and excursions to wineries to get a closer look at the world of wine. And if that wasn’t enough, it is one of the best places to buy your favourite bottle of wine. They usually offer a wine every month, which is specially promoted. In short, if you want to get into the world of Malaga wines, you should visit them.

We hope you liked our article about Malaga wines, we toast for it!

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