20.8 - Castilla-La Mancha

Question 1

Describe the situation, size, climate, topography, rainfall and soils of La Mancha DO.

Answer 1

Situation SE of Madrid, completely landlocked

Size 158,000ha (2.3x times size of Rioja)

Climate Continental, hot (45c in summer to -20c in winter)

Rainfall Low 300-400mm

Soil limestone and chalk

Question 2

To what extent is irrigation relied upon?

Answer 2

40% of vineyards irrigated - relatively high

Drip irrigation most common

Question 3

Contrast the planting density of un-irrigated and irrigated vineyards. How will this affect quality and price?

Answer 3

Unirrigated - 1000 VPH

Irrigated - 3000 VPH

Irrigated vineyards produce higher yield hL/ha but extra cost of installing and running irrigation

Dry farmed vines are also often planted untrellised - this can have cost implications - less money on trellising but must be hand harvested

Question 4

Why are bush vines common in places such as La Mancha?

Answer 4

1) Dryness limits vigour which prevents an overly dense canopy
2) Grapes benefit from shading from hot, mid-day sun
3) Low cost of land compatible with low-density planting (although nothing to say vineyard can’t be irrigated)

Question 5

What styles of wine are made in La Mancha?

Answer 5

Airen low-intensity, cheap wine (90,000ha), often distilled

Cencibel (Tempranillo) fruity style with short oak maturation; aged styles up to GR also found

Question 6

How important are co-ops in the production of wine in La Mancha?

Where is wine sold?

Answer 6

Very important - Virgen de las Viñas is the largest co-op in Spain, whose members farm 20,000ha

40% exported - Chinese mkt largest and crow

Question 7

Compare the climate and wine of Valdepenas to La Mancha

Answer 7

A much smaller DO to the south of La Mancha

Similarly hot continental climate

Mainly makes reds from Cencible that have red fruit and oak, soft tannin, med acid, good quality/inexpensive-mid-priced

Question 8

What is a Vino de Pago?

Answer 8

Single estates with good reputations

9/18 are located in Castilla-La Mancha

Dominio de Valdepusa has one the best reps in the region

Question 9

Castilla VT is how large compared to the name DOs of the region? What kind of wine is produced?

Answer 9

Twice the size

Similar climate and soil

Local and int’l varieties mainly inexpensive-mid-priced