Spain: Castilla -La -Mancha

Question 1

La Mancha DO : General

Answer 1

• 155,000ha , largest DO in SPain - largest PDO in Europe
  -on a large ,flat meseta at 500-700m
  -landlocked, inland with continental temps that range from hot summers up to 45o and winters that can go down to -20o
  Rainfall low - 300-400m

SOILS : Limestone and chalk to retain water but drip irrigation is common at 40% of all sites

Planting densties are low =1,000 vines per ha for bush vines / dry grown
3,000 vines for VSP with irrigation

**Airen - neutral white grape fermented in SS tanks and has low intensity , medoium acidity for eaerly drking - most used in Brandy de Jerez

** Tempranillo aka Cencibel
Fruity, short oak times foudn in Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva

Business :
14,000 growers and 241 wineries in 2021
Co-op make the majority of production
Virgen de las Vinas in Tomelloso is the largest co-op in all of Spain with 2,000 membes
Wine is sold as bulk or bottled and 38% is exported esp. China but also Germany and Japan

Question 2

Valdepenas DO : General

Answer 2

• south of La MAncha
  -continental with hot summers and dry summers
  -Tempranillo aka Cencibel - wines are ripe red fruits with soft tannins and medium acidity
  Good and inexpensive to mid -priced

Question 3

Castilla- La -Mancha : Vin de Pago

Answer 3

• 18 VPS
  -the first and most well know is Dominio de Valdepusa
  Cab Sauv, Syrah, and Petit verdot

Question 4

Castilla VT - General

Answer 4

• Vino del la Tierra covers a vast area of Castilla -La-Mancha
• encompasses La Mancha and Valdepenas DO that cover hald of its areas
  Climate and Soil are similar to the two DO’s
  Large range of grapes local and international are allowed
  Inexpensive -mid priced wines