Castilla La Mancha Flashcards
La Mancha DO
Largest DO in Spain and largest PDO in Europe
Located on the meseta at 500 - 700m. Continental with extremely hot summers with max temps of 45C. Winters are very cold and can reach -20C. Rainfall 300 - 400mm. Limestone and chalk in the soil aid water retention but drip irrigation is common (40% of all vineyards).
Densities are as low as 1,000 vines / ha for bush trained vines with no irrigation. Irrigated and trellised vines are at 3,000.
Airen is 90,000 ha. Neutral white variety fermented in stainless to make low intensity, med acid, for early consumption. Much distilled into Brandy de Jerez.
Tempranillo (here Cencibel) is most planted black. Fruity style with short oak contact. But Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva do exist.
20,000 growers and 270 wineries. Coops are the majority of production. Virgen de las Vinas in Tomelloso is the largest in Spain with 2,000 members farming 20,000ha.
Sold as bulk or bottled, with 40% export. China, Germany, Netherlands, Russia.
Valdepenas DO
Located in the south of La Mancha
Continental climate with hot dry summers.
Mainly reds from Cencibel with ripe red fruit, soft tannin, med acid, spice from oak. Good quality and mid price.
Vino de Pago
Castilla La Mancha is home to 9 of Spain’s 18 Vinos de Pago (VP).
The first and most well known is Dominio de Valdepusa producing wine from Cab Sauv, Syrah, Petit Verdot.
Castilla VT
This Vino de la Tierra covers a vast area and includes La Mancha DO and Valdepenas DO and others.
Continental climate with hot dry summers. Limestone and chalk.
Large range of local and international varieties permitted. Inexpensive to mid.
