Spain - Manchuela DO

Question 1

Location

Size of vineyards

Main category produced

Permitted varieties

Answer 1

• located in the eastern part of Castilla-La Mancha
• breakaway region from the much larger La Mancha DO.
• granted DO in 2000.
• 55,000 ha of vineyards.
• approximately 70% of the production is red wine.
• main black varieties: Bobal, Garnacha, Syrah - lesser in volume, but important in quality: Cencibel (Tempranillo, Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvigon (usually blended with the former 2).
• main white varieties: Albillo, Sauvignon Blanc / Verdejo, Macabeo.

Question 2

Overall climate

Natural factors influencing climate

Natural factors influencing mesoclimate

Advantage & disadvantage

Answer 2

• warm continental climate (mild winters, hot summers).
• climate is tempered by the Levante wind and proximity with the Mediterranean.
• low levels of rainfall reduces the incidence of fungal diseases.
• dry climate encourages organic / biodynamic viticulture.
• drought can be an issue.
• altitude or the proximity to the rivers Jucar and Cabriel can temper the mesoclimate and provide a wider diurnal range.

Question 3

Soil types

Overall topography and best vineyard sites

Answer 3

• overall soil type: lime rich clay over limestone bedrock.
• aluvial soils along the valleys of the Jucar and Cabriel.
• most of the terrain is flat.
• best sites for premium wine production are probably located to the west, on the Meseta Central, with altitudes varying between 600m - 1000m ASL.

Question 4

Red winemaking

White winemaking

Rose winemaking

Answer 4

• white wines: based on the overall description on the DO’s website, white wines seem to be typically fermented in neutral vessel (most probably stainless steel), with controlled temperature, at a lower temperature range in order to preserve primary fruit.
• red wines: based on the overall description on the DO’s website, the style favours primary fruit aromas, favouring some level of concentration and extraction, with the more premium wines being elevated in French oak.
• rose winemaking: seems to follow the wine white production in terms of fermentation vessel and temperature controles; up to this date (06/01/21), I have only come accross a darker coloured example; colour extraction here will have to be very careful as grapes would tend to have a higher level of tannins due to the warm climate.

Question 5

Budding / ripening

Other viticultural characteristics

Advantages & disadvantages

Wine style

Answer 5

• mid to late budding / ripening.
• very vigorous and fertile (high yields); extremelly drought resistant.
• tends to ripen unevenly.
• retains acidity better than Monastrell, less alcoholic.
• advantages: a) late budding / ripening makes it suitable for the long growing season in this region; b) drought resistant; c) in the right hands, can produce smooth, well-structured, texturized wines with freshness from its retained acidity.
• disadvantages: a) very vigorous - needs close management; b) ripens unevenly - could lead to rustic wines; c) susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis (not much of an issue in Manchuela).
• wine style: deep purple colour, dark berries notes (blueberry, blackberry, dark cherry); fresher than Montastrell; smooth and texturized tannins and fresh acidity.