For those who may not be familiar with the wines of the region of Murcia, could you provide an overview of the region and its main characteristics?
The region of Murcia has a long winemaking tradition, with a dry and warm climate and very low rainfall, conditions that have favoured the development of resilient native grape varieties and the production of high-quality wines.
Monastrell is the predominant variety, producing robust and deeply coloured wines. Murcia also grows other red varieties such as Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Syrah, used both in blends and varietal wines, contributing to a wide range of styles.
White wines, although produced in smaller quantities, are noted for their freshness and aromatic profile. They are made from Macabeo, Airén, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Verdejo, resulting in fruity, floral wines with good acidity.
Sara Rubira, Murcia’s minister of agriculture, sees the UK as a key export market for its wines
Murcia has three main designations of origin: Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas, each with traditional characteristics but also modern winemaking innovations that allow for everything from young, fresh wines to complex reservas and fortified wines.
Overall, the region’s wines have a Mediterranean character shaped by its sunny, dry climate, limestone soils, and a winemaking heritage that combines tradition with contemporary techniques.
What styles of wine do producers make?
Murcia mainly produces red wines that are powerful, well-structured, and with marked tannins, with Monastrell as the flagship grape.
Fruity rosés, aromatic white wines, and – on a smaller scale – naturally sweet wines are also made. Each denomination offers different nuances in terms of complexity and expressiveness, blending tradition with modernity.
What have been the major developments in the region in recent years?
Without doubt, the most significant development has been the strong commitment to improving wine quality. Key advances include a focus on sustainability and innovation in the vineyards, and the development of new grape varieties resistant to climate change.
This is an essential priority for the regional government, which continues to support research initiatives. In fact, Murcia is home to IMIDA, the first research centre in Spain to obtain new winemaking grape varieties derived from Monastrell – the region’s signature red grape – with the aim of producing even better wines.
There is also a strong shift toward organic practices, where Murcia is a national leader in vineyard surface area, as well as growing investment in wine tourism as an economic and cultural driver. Additionally, internationalisation and consolidation of quality have led to global recognition and awards.
The region is divided into three main designations of origin: Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas. What distinguishes them?
The region of Jumilla. Photo by Juan Palao Guarafia (also the lead image)
Together, these three appellations reveal how a compact territory can generate an astonishing diversity of styles, all united by the unmistakable personality of Monastrell and a new generation of producers committed to introducing the “new Murcia” to the world of wine.
The Jumilla PDO is one of Spain’s oldest appellations, with a rich and ancient history of winegrowing. Jumilla has the largest area of vineyards. The climate of this designation of origin has continental characteristics, influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean to the east and the La Mancha plateau to the west.
The PDO production area comprises territories of considerable altitude, with vineyards extending from 320 metres to over 1,000 metres, and its limestone rolling hills give place to a wide array of sites for vineyards, many of them old and ungrafted.
The Yecla region has long had a focus on building its exports
The Yecla PDO is unique in Spain as the only designation of origin covering a single municipality.
It stands out as a transitional zone between the plateau and the Mediterranean, characterised by the plateau’s notable altitude from which numerous hills rise.
Yecla has a long-standing tradition of striving to internationalise its wines.
Bullas is the smallest and most mountainous of the three regions of Murcia
Bullas, meanwhile, is the most mountainous DO and the smallest in terms of vineyards. The landscape is rich and diverse, very distinctive, an enclave that stands out from the rest of Murcia’s geography. The terrain is very rugged, with valleys surrounded by high mountains covered in pine forests (from 600 to 1,000 metres above sea level) where the vineyards grow and where there are significant climatic differences and microclimates. The high altitude and rugged terrain contribute to wines that are fresh and mineral-driven.
You plan to present the region and its wines at a tasting in London. What do you have planned?
Our goal is to increase awareness of the region of Murcia and its wines in the UK, particularly in London, reinforcing the presence of our wines in this market. We hope this will be the first joint action by the three denominations of origin in future initiatives.
Why did you decide to organise this tasting now, and why is this the right moment to enter the UK market?
The UK is one of Murcia’s main export markets, and its international profile is growing. New consumer trends and an openness to lesser-known varieties mean that Murcian wines – with their excellent value for money and authenticity -have strong potential for success.
British interest in segments such as organic wines and value for money makes the UK a strategic market. Although Murcia’s export volumes are still modest, there is clear room for growth in value and brand positioning.
Are you offering any masterclasses that people can sign up for?
Yes, the activity program includes two masterclasses with Peter Richards MW.
11am-12.15pm: Height, Heritage & Heat: Exploring the Wines of Murcia.
1.30pm-2.45pm: Low Intervention, High Expression: Murcia’s Organic Wines.
What are your expectations and goals for the tasting? What do you hope to achieve?
UK buyers will get the chance to discover and explore wines from across Murcia at the December 1 tasting
We hope to showcase the excellent quality of the wines produced in our three denominations, the unique, sustainable, and historically rooted growing conditions of the region – factors still not widely known among British consumers and experts. And of course, our main goal is to increase demand in London, the world’s wine capital.
We are confident this is achievable once attendees taste our wines and discover the remarkable value for money offered by Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas.
What are Murcia’s other main export markets, and which are the fastest-growing?
In addition to the UK, Murcia’s main export markets include the US, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Mexico, with a broad international presence in more than 100 countries. These countries stand out for both volume and value, with the US and Germany being traditional markets with strong demand for structured red wines like those from the region.
As for the fastest-growing markets, northern European countries—such as the Scandinavian and Baltic nations – as well as several Asian markets (China and South Korea) show increasing interest in authentic, high-quality Mediterranean wines.
How was the 2025 harvest in terms of volume, yield, and quality compared with previous years?
The 2025 harvest was very similar to the previous year despite climatic challenges. Across the three producing areas – Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas – the main factors were hail and drought, although the impact varied by zone.
For the three denominations overall, both drought and hail caused significant damage for growers, affecting quantity but not quality, which remains very high wherever the grapes reached maturity in good condition.
What is certain is that quality has been excellent – as already evident in the white and rosé wines – and we expect the red wines, particularly those made from Monastrell, to be balanced, rounded, and elegant.
The Spanish Discovery Tasting of the Region of Murcia takes place at Hispania, 72–74 Lombard Street, London EC3V 9AY on December 1.
Walkaround tasting is 12.15pm to 4pm.
11am-12.15pm: Height, Heritage & Heat: Exploring the Wines of Murcia with Peter Richards MW masterclass.
1.30pm-2.45pm: Low Intervention, High Expression: Murcia’s Organic Wines with Peter Richards MW masterclass.
Register here.
