Valencian wineries return to Ferevin, this year celebrated from the 24th to the 27th of August and it will be full of visitors, as well as samplings and tastings
All Valencians know Requena is famous for its quality wines, but it is becoming increasingly known by foreigners. In order to continue broadcasting local products, every year La Feria Requenense del Vino (Ferevin) is celebrated; this year being the 26th edition. It will take place, starting today until Sunday, the 27th of August, bringing together the main wineries of the area, coinciding with the municipality’s biggest festivities and marking a turning point in the neighbors’ calendars. Those that have attended on occasion don’t need more reasons to repeat the experience. However, for first-timers, here are 5 substantial reasons to lift a glass and toast emphatically when it is almost the period of grape harvest.
1) All the main wineries will attend
The main Requena wine-producers are aware of the importance of being present at this event. Sebirán, Sierra Norte, Coviñas, Cuevas, Murviedro, Dominio de la Vega, Vicente Gandia, Pago de Tharsys, Torreo Oria… all of them will be attending the gathering, as well as the Administrative Council of the Appellation of Origin D.O. Utiel-Requena. The fair is the proof of progress that businesses from the area have experienced over the past decades, modernizing their production system, invigorating their distribution channels and achieving high quality bottling with even more fame. The quality image of Valencian wine expands in order to link the sector.
2) Workshops, tastings, samplings…
There will be no time for boredom. The 2017 Ferevin program includes contests, guided tasting sessions and even an open kitchen presentation, where the Association of Housewives of Requena will sample the typical products from the area. It is worth remembering that we are found in an area of great gastronomic value, where soups and broths stand out, especially made with rice and potatoes, as well as cold meats, welcomed by the Protected Geographical Indication. It is a big occasion to try the spicy pork sausage (longaniza), chorizo, güeña (the typical sausage from Requena), hot dog and black pudding (morcilla), amongst others. A disposition for visitors will include a tasting voucher worth 8 euros.
3) Cava time has arrived
The prestige of Requena in the production of sparkling wines is increasingly more notorious, it effectively confirms the creation of the Asociación de Elaboradores de Cava de Requena, composed of up to eight wineries. Cava has been labelled as a Catalan wine, but the truth is that the elaboration is starting to diversify. Valencian Chardonnay plantations are increasing in an exponential way, at the same rate as the Requena wineries they start winning prizes in different competitions around the world. That said, Dominio de la Vega, Pago de Tarsys, Torre Oria and Castell del Sorells stand out in this respect.
4) Logistical facilities
As a novelty this year, the fairground will be open all day, from 11:00 until 22:00 (except on Sunday, when it will close at 14:30). The guests will have plenty of time to enjoy the wines and cavas, without having to worry about drinking alcohol. On Friday the 25th of August there will be free buses from Valencia for anyone that is interested in attending the fair and then you won’t have to worry about parking or driving. Furthermore there will be a 30% discount on the tasting voucher for those accredited to arrive on Renfe Cercanías, with the aim to encourage the use of public transport.
5) The start of grape harvest
Albeit it arrives just as the summer comes to an end, the residents of Requena welcome this very important season. We talk about the months of harvest, which in the northern hemisphere takes place between August and October. The date also coincides with the celebration of the municipality’s biggest festivities. There is no doubt that this is a very special time for the farmers of the area, where wine is a vital source of livelihood.