A Mediterranean Moscatel Mistela from Alicante
Moscatel de Rafa Cañizares is a sweet wine from the Alicante DOP, made from 100% Muscat of Alexandria grapes, a variety deeply rooted in Mediterranean winemaking. It is crafted to preserve the grapes' natural sweetness while maintaining refreshing acidity, resulting in an aromatic, well-balanced mistela suited to both aperitifs and after-dinner occasions.
Presented in a 37.5 cl bottle with 15% ABV, it offers a convenient size for enjoying smaller servings of sweet wine without opening a full-sized bottle. An appealing choice for anyone who appreciates traditional Spanish Moscatel and wants to explore a distinctive expression from Alicante.
Muscat of Alexandria from vineyards near the Mediterranean
The grapes come from selected Muscat of Alexandria vineyards close to the Mediterranean coast, within the Alicante Protected Designation of Origin (DOP).
The warm climate and cooling sea breezes encourage the grapes to develop their characteristic aromatic intensity while retaining balanced acidity. Sandy and limestone soils also contribute to the growing conditions of the vineyards selected for this wine.
The grapes are harvested by hand at their optimum ripeness. Careful selection is particularly important for producing a mistela that retains the natural sweetness and distinctive character of Muscat of Alexandria.
Cold maceration and fortification to preserve natural sweetness
The production of Moscatel de Rafa Cañizares begins with a short period of cold maceration. This allows the grape skins to release their primary aromas while helping preserve the delicate aromatic qualities of the Muscat variety.
The must is then fortified with wine-derived alcohol, preserving the sugars naturally present in the grapes. This traditional technique is characteristic of Spanish mistela, producing a sweet wine whose sweetness comes from the grape must itself.
The result combines a smooth, silky texture with enough freshness to prevent the sweetness from becoming overwhelming. This balance is central to the character of this Alicante sweet wine.
A 37.5 cl bottle made for sharing
The 37.5 cl format is particularly suitable for sweet wines, which are generally served in smaller measures than dry whites. At approximately 50 ml per serving, the bottle provides around seven small glasses.
It is a practical choice for accompanying dessert, sharing an after-dinner drink between two people or enjoying an occasional glass of Moscatel without opening a larger bottle.
How to serve Moscatel de Rafa Cañizares
We recommend serving it chilled, at approximately 8 to 10°C, in a small white wine glass. This temperature helps maintain the balance between sweetness and acidity while allowing the grape's aromatic character to come through.
It pairs particularly well with traditional Spanish pastries, turrón, almond-based desserts, fresh fruit and mild cheeses. Blue cheeses can also make an interesting pairing, as their salty character provides a pleasing contrast to the sweetness of the wine.
At Licorea, we recommend Moscatel de Rafa Cañizares to anyone looking for a traditional sweet wine from Alicante with a clearly defined origin and a convenient bottle size. Its Muscat of Alexandria grapes, hand harvesting and traditional fortification make it a distinctive example of Mediterranean sweet winemaking.
