A year ago I reported that Utiel-Requena was seeking UNESCO Heritage Status for the DO which has a continuous history of viticulture and winemaking going back to 2500 years . (See April 2010 Archive). [caption id="attachment_844" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="New Red Released at Pago de Tharsys."][/caption] This week the Requena Wine Institute has been hosting a conference for the International Committee for the Preservation of International History, a UNESCO body. Delegates from the US, Mexico, Argentina and elsewhere have been attending this conference on food and agriculture, the third time it has met. This is seen as a major  step on the way to being declared `Paisaje Culural de la Vid y el Vino´the first in Spain and following France, Hungary the Azores and Portugal. It should also be helped by the Government awarding the area its own Cultural Heritage status. The award by UNESCO is expected next year. In the meantime Bodega Pago de  Tharsys  launched an art and sculpture exhibition in their function suite last Saturday evening. The exhibition by Utiel artist Soca, of sculptures related to his memories was well attended and the bodega took the opportunity to launch two new wines onto the market. The 2010 pure Macabeo is  fresh and  dry with good acidity and a nose full of green apples and ripe melon. An absolute classic!  The red is a 2009 blend of Bobal and Tempranillo, intense and fruity and a good easy drinker. Both wines are available from the bodega shop and are very good value for money! Also newly released this week is Vera de Estenas Bobal Rosado 2010. Described as red, bright and clean with strawberry notes and a touch of violet at the edge. On the nose a succulent fruity bouquet and in the mouth balanced and fresh with just the right acidity. As I am intending to visit the area very shortly I intend to pop in and confirm this! Bodegas Murviedro have been at it again, garnering more awards for their wines! `Cueva de Culpa´2008 a blend of Bobal and Merlot has won a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge. `Cueva de espera ´a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has won a silver, and, `Corolilla´, both crianza and reserva versions have won silvers as well. The crianza has been selected by the DO as a wine to be used in events it organises during the year. Bodegas Vegalfaro has been awarded ISO Certification 14001 for its management of both the bodega and vineyards. The Internationally recognised standard is awarded to bodegas who manage a balance between production and the environment. They have also been awarded their certificate for ecologically produced wines from their 60 hectares in DO Utiel-Requena. Pago de los Balagueses 2008, one of their excellent  wines  has also won `Vino Cuidadoso´in the 2011 competition, an award  won last year by Olivastro also from Utiel-Requena! All in all things are looking onward and upward for bodegas in the DO!