Academia Nocturnos Bobal, Spain
Bobal is a grape that we think has a bright future. A unique taste and a grape that thrives in the sun we wouldn’t be surprised if we see it planted in places like Australia in the near future. The name (pronounced ‘bow-bal’) comes from the Latin, ‘bovale’ meaning ‘in the shape of a bull’s head’. This reflects the fact that the Bobal grape cluster is tightly packed in a very distinctive shape, which could indeed be said to look similar to a bovine head.
Bobal is a child of the Levant, its homestead the western Mediterranean DOs of Ribera del Jucar, Manchuela and, most significantly, Utiel-Requena, where it flourishes on hillsides of up to 900m, located 70km inland from the sea. The altitude of this DO makes it the coolest of the Levant regions and lends a structure to its wines, which is well suited to this globally warming world. The grape is resistant to drought and mildew (oidium and mildium in this region) and its thick skin and deep colour ensure impressive levels of anthocyanins. A really classic and strong version of the grape.