Central Spain - The Meseta - La Mancha

Answer 1

1940s: wine production took off due to the arrival of numerous cooperatives in the region.

• 1986: key point of discussion in EU funding schemes

Topography

• 500-700m high plateau directly south of Madrid.
• Most of the vineyards located in Ciduad real, one of the 5 sub-zones of La Mancha.

Soils

• Dry, hard & shallow sandy clay soils.

Climate

• Hot, dry and extremely continental climate (45C to -15C). Rainfall 300-400mm. 3,000h of sunlight/yr.

Answer 2

Reds (25% of plantings)

1. Cencibel aka Tempranillo – 17% of all plantings
2. Premier native black grape w thick skin; ripens early i.e. several weeks earlier vs. most Spanish red grapes (temprano: ‘early’)
3. Wines are med->full bodied, low to med+ acidity, w med tannins and flavours of strawberry, cherry, raspberry & plum.

Others: Garnacha (3%), Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer 3

Whites (75% of plantings)

1. Aíren – 2/3 of all plantings
2. • Prized for hardiness & resistance to drought
3. • Not a lot of character; average quality wines
4. • Wines prone to oxidation
5. • Mainly in La Mancha for spirits or light fresh whites

Others: Macabeo (2%), Verdejo (1.4%)

Answer 4

163,000ha – world’s largest wine region.

DO since 1976

• 17,000 vine growers
• Low density bush trained vines. Low training so that leaves can shade the fruit from scorching sun.
• Recent move to pick earlier to keep acidity and fruit characters.
• Key hazards: drought (-> irrigation permitted since 1996).

Answer 5

Stainless steel and cool fermentation now prominent. Mainly neutral light wines.

• Standard ageing rules for Crianza, Reserva & Gran Reserva.
• Represents 50% of Spain’s harvest
• 15-20m hl produced annually with:
• 60% exported (mainly Germany & France)
• 2/3 reds and rosados produced (Aíren used for distillation)

• Key producers:

• *Tomelloso** – 1m btls
• Quality producer with key wine Torre de Gazate from Cabernet sometimes blended w Cencibel