Results
2,283 Results
Loading more Results ...
Loading more Results ...
Spain Castilla-La Mancha
D.O. La Mancha
D.O. La Mancha |
Description to D.O. La Mancha
The DO area of La Mancha in Spain is part of the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha (see there for its history). It comprises 182 municipalities in the four provinces of Albacete (19,036 ha), Ciudad Real (74,264 ha), Cuenca (31,249 ha) and Toledo (27,933 ha). The DO area of Valdepeñas, which is enclosed on three sides, is an enclave on the southern edge. The area used to be known primarily as a producer of mass-produced white wines for quick consumption. After the DO classification in 1976, great efforts were made to improve quality standards and, following EU entry in 1986, a third of the vineyards were grubbed up. In 2020, "La Mancha Excellent" was introduced as the highest quality level.
Climate & soils
The extreme, continental climate is characterised by large temperature fluctuations and highly variable rainfall throughout the year with an average of 300 to 400 mm annually. Summers are often extremely hot (up to 45 °Celsius) and dry, which is why fungal diseases such as powdery mildew are almost unknown. There are regular frosts in winter. For the most part, calcareous, nutrient-poor and often stony and gravelly clay soils with limestone and chalk veins in the subsoil predominate. The relatively flat land rises steadily from 480 metres in the north to 700 metres above sea level in the south.
Vineyards & grape varieties
The area under vines totals 152,482 hectares with 70% white wine grapes and 30% red wine grapes. The white wine variety Airén, which is also used to a large extent for the production of spirits, dominates with more than three quarters of the area. This is followed by the red wine varieties Tempranillo (here Cencibel), Macabeo (here Viura) and Syrah. The grape variety index 2022:
Grape variety |
Colour |
Synonyms |
Hectare |
Airén | white | Burra Blanca, Manchega, Valdepeñas | 88.161 |
Tempranillo | red | Cencibel | 29.161 |
Macabeo | red | Viura | 7.848 |
Syrah | red | - | 3.816 |
Verdejo | white | Albillo de Nava | 3.508 |
Garnacha Tinta | red | Grenache Noir | 3.470 |
Cabernet Sauvignon | red | - | 3.294 |
Sauvignon Blanc | white | - | 2.170 |
Chardonnay | white | - | 1.976 |
Alicante Henri Bouschet | red | Garnacha Tintorera | 1.826 |
Merlot | red | - | 1.390 |
Muscat Blanc (Yellow Muscat) | white | Moscatel de Grano Menudo | 1.202 |
Bobal | red | Tinto de Requena | 963 |
Monastrell | red | Mataró | 659 |
Petit Verdot | red | - | 633 |
Marufo | red | Crujidera, Moravia Dulce | 641 |
Pedro Ximénez | white | PX, Ximénez | 314 |
Muscat d'Alexandrie | white | Moscatel de Alejandría | 230 |
Graciano | red | Monastrell Menudo | 214 |
Parellada | white | Montònero | 185 |
Viognier | white | - | 129 |
Cabernet Franc | red | - | 111 |
Riesling | white | - | 57 |
Gewürztraminer | white | - | 23 |
Cot | red | Malbec | 19 |
Mencía | red | Jaén, Jaén Tinto | 2 |
Alarije | white | Aris, Torrontés | 2 |
Pinot Noir | red | - | 1 |
Production specifications
The "La Mancha" designation of origin has been protected since 1932, and the wine was classified as a DO in 1976. The "Consejo Regulador D.O. La Mancha" is responsible for the promotion, advertising, quality assurance and control through wine tasting. La Mancha". There are the following wine qualities and types:
- Young wines (Vinos Jóvenes) - consumption up to 9 months after production
- traditionally produced wines (Vinos Tradicionales) - ageing in tanks or clay jugs (Tinaja), mostly naturally sweet white dessert wines
- Aged wines (Vinos Envejecidos en Barrica de Roble) - aged in barriques for at least 60 days
- Crianza - aged for two years, one in barrique and one in bottle
- Reserva - at least twelve months ageing in oak and two years in bottle
- Gran Reserva - at least two years of ageing in oak and three years in bottle
- Sparkling wines (Vinos de Aguja)
- Sparkling wines (Vinos Espumosos) - traditional production, at least nine months in bottle
- La Mancha Excellent - highest quality level with even stricter quality standards and traceability compared to DO
Producers
There are around 20,000 winegrowers (often only producing grapes) and around 280 bodegas. Around 200 wineries bottle their wines, 120 market them abroad and around 130 produce wines in barrels.
Logos: La Mancha Wines
Recent wines 131
The most important grape varieties
More information in the magazine
- Paradisiacal times! Tasting: European sparkling wines for the festive season
- Elegant balance between extremes In FocusDO Rueda
- Turnkey vineyards for the holiday finca Interview: Mallorca winemaker Henri Fink
- "Sustainability is part of our family's DNA" Vicky Gonzalez-Gordon of Gonzalez Byass on wine and sherry in climate change
- Montsant More radiant with every step
- The terroir of the Montsant Rocks, mountains and gentle river valleys in the south
- History of viticulture in the Montsant Of Roman amphorae, phylloxera and wine cathedrals
- Discover Montsant Enjoy wine, experience nature, experience culture
- Montsant on the plate Regional specialities between almonds, calçots and Vermouth
- The wineries on the holy mountain of Catalonia The DO Montsant west of Tarragona is experiencing an upswing: many young committed oenologists have discovered the terroir for themselves. Together with the established winemakers, they are placing their wines on the best maps in the world.