Bobal ranks second among the black grapes of Spain in terms of volume but historically one hardly ever comes across it because it's mainly been used in its homeland around Valencia for blending and cheap, bulk wines. This perception is changing, as some producers are turning out delicious Bobal from older vines.

Its name derives from the Latin bovale, which mean's "bull's head". ¿Cómo? Because a bunch of Bobal grapes hanging on the vine looks like a bull's head with sticky-out horns.