In the last ten years, Alicante DO has been winning respect for its new light, fresh wines and interesting varietal reds produced by pioneering bodegas.

The winelands divide between two contrasting areas . The largest one is the arid valley of the Rio Vinalopó, which stretches behind Alicante city (also called Alacant in Valencian dialect). Here the Monastrell grape shares the vineyards with new varieties. The second smaller one, incorporated into the DO in 1987, is La Marina, on the northern coast, where Moscatel grapes flourish in the warm, humid climate.

Alongside the new red wines emerging here, Alicante's classic dessert wine, Fondillon, has been exported for centuries and is enjoying a renaissance. This traditional wine is made from grapes allowed to over ripen on the vine; it has a high alcohol content and turns from red to amber with ageing.