The sweet wine is one of the most distinctive gastronomic symbols of the province of Malaga, both to pair a meal and to be the protagonist of any moment. Its roots go back to Phoenician times, when the vine was introduced in the region. However, it was during the Roman domination and, later, in the Middle Ages, when Malaga wines began to consolidate their reputation. In the 19th century, these wines reached their peak, being exported all over Europe and even to America.
The Malaga Designation of Origin, established in 1933, is one of the oldest in Spain and protects this wine, ensuring the quality and authenticity of its production.
Malaga wines can be classified as follows:
- Dulce Natural, which includes the Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel varieties.
- Maestro: between 15-26% alcohol and more than 100g/l of sugar. With aromas derived from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel.
- Tierno: also shows aromas of Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel varieties, with notes of raisins.
- Naturally Sweet: wine of a bright yellowish to golden color, made from very ripe grapes.
- Pale: it gets its name from its pale yellow color. It has aromas in common with Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel.
- Pajarete: It is the natural sweet wine and its sugar level is 45-140 g/l.
It is also important to differentiate between the two types of appellation of origin that support Malaga wines:
The D.O. Málaga: designates wines made mainly with Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel; wines of appetizer and those that pair with fruit or fatty foods, such as foie gras, blue cheeses or chocolate.
The D.O. Sierras de Málaga: includes red, white and some rosé wines. Little by little, and with the promotional help of Sabor a Málaga, they are gaining the prestige and recognition they deserve.
The 19th century was a time of splendor for Malaga wines, with around 112,000 hectares of vineyards and exports from the Port of Malaga to half the world. Today, it continues to gain ground in the market, both nationally and internationally.
In addition, in 2024, the centenary of the Malaga Wine Brand has been celebrated with a multitude of activities, gastronomic events, conferences, exhibitions…