Laujar-Alpujarra is a tiny Vino de la Tierra appellation of Andalucia, southern Spain.
Lofty Laujar-Alpujarra is sandwiched between two other VTs, Cumbres del Guadalfeo to the southwest and Ribera del Andarax to the northeast. The VT sits in the high Valle (Valley) de Laujar, from which it borrows half of its name. The other half comes from the Alpujarra – a region between Sierra Nevada mountains and the Mediterranean Sea – in which the VT is located. Laujar-Alpujarra gained its VT status in 2004.
Winemaking in Andalucía can be traced back to at least the 8th Century BC, and it continues to be an important industry today. The region's most famous wine is its fortified Sherry, although a number of unfortified wines are also made throughout a number of DO such as Sierras de Malaga and VTs including Laujar-Alpujarra.
The landscape of Laujar-Alpujarra is dominated by the imposing Sierra Nevada and Sierra Gador mountain ranges surrounding it. The VT encompasses the upper reaches of the River Alvarax and vineyards sit at altitudes of between 2295ft and 3280ft (700–1000m). This high location largely offsets the moderating influences of the Mediterranean Sea not far away, creating a continental climate with significant diurnal temperature variations, ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The higher vineyards have cut terraces into the hillsides.
The local wine law allows Laujar-Alpujarra wines to contain any of seven white-wine or eight red-wine varieties. The white grapes are Jaen Blanco (Cayetana), Vijariego, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains) and the reds are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Monastrell, Garnacha, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot. With these varieties white, rosé and red wines (both joven/young and barrel aged) can be made.
Complex red blends are most common to the area, generally combining three or more varieties, with Cabernet – Merlot –Tempranillo proving very popular with producers. Red wines, in order to be labeled with the VT, must show ripe fruit characters, intensity, rich color and freshness in the mouth. White wines must be fresh, fruity and balanced.
