Malaga has one of the longest wine producing histories in the world, dating all the way back to Phoenician times.
Today, Malaga is the largest of the DO wine zones in Andalucia, with approximately 3000 acres planted in some 30 vineyards (Bodegas) and produces over 2 million litres annually.
It is best known for its sweet wines made from the Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez grape varieties. The two varieties of grape tend to be concentrated in the Axarquia growing region of Malaga province, not far from the town of Velez Malaga.
There are three main grape growing areas in Malaga Province; east of Malaga in the Axarquia region, west of the city and centred around the village of Manilva where the larger Moscatel grapes are grown - mainly for eating. The most intensive farming is just north of Antequera, where a sweet variation of the Pedro Ximenez variety predominates.
Despite the fact that the grapes are being grown, pressed and sometimes fermented in other parts of the province, Malaga wines are all aged in Malaga city itself.
Having a small glass of sweet wine is part of the culture. Part of the social fabric that makes up Andalucia. There is no better place to try Malaga’s traditional wines than in one of the original wine bars.
Bar Pimpi and the Antigua Casa de Guardia are, without a doubt, two of the very best.