This is a region that needs to be known more for its wines, great improvement over the years, Actually, I came to know the wines here late in life as started with those up north in Spain. When I started coming to this region with the family several years back, the owner of the house we rented gave me a bottle of a local wine and it was not bad. I have been chasing down wines from this region ever since. Therefore, let me tell you about the wines of Castilla La Mancha !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
My first ever taste of wine was by my maternal grandmother at my tender age of 8, and of course , it was Spanish wine from Tenerife. Ever since, my love for the drink has increase exponentially to the point of taken professional courses from the ICEX commercial office of Spain, and SOPEXA Food and Wine from France government entities over the years. I have tasted wines from many countries and even visit many wineries. Memories forever !
La Mancha is a Denominacion de Origen or DO area , an area designated to be of quality wines and you can see on the bottles the grayish black label on the back. The areas are Toledo, Albacete, Cuenca, and Ciudad Real. Going irrigated by the rivers Guadiana, Tajo, and Jucar ,and you have the biggest vineyards in the world with about 400-600 000 hectares of grapes of which about 170 000 are under the DO La Mancha denomination. The region is known as the winery of Europe or “La Bodega de Europa”. There are about 182 towns and more than 250 bodegas in it ,some with huge sizes. It is ,also, the biggest Spanish exporter of wine with 22% of their production exported.
You have them as in Spain in general the reds or Tintos (we do not say red=rojo, tinto comes from how we name the grape tinto del pais ! that here it is call tempranillo ::)) . You have them jovenes or youngs, 60 days of ageing minimum, and crianza with 6 months ageing minimum, and reserva with 12 months of ageing minimum and gran reserva with 18 months ageing as minimum. Of course, also, rosé or rosados, white or blancos, sparkling or espumosos, naturalmente dulces or naturally sweets. The region uses many types of grapes such as the whites: Airén, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Moscatel, Pedro Ximénez, Parellada, Torrontés, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Viognier. The Reds or tintos such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Moravia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Graciano, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.
Let me give some of the properties I seek and enjoy drinking over the years even today,
The most famous is the Marqués de Griñon ,Carlos Falcó. Here is a brief story: There is about 43 years ago that he planted the first grape in the area; it was a cabernet sauvignon that he hidden in his apples as at the time it was illegal to bring foreign grapes into Spain. Within the olives and flower trees of Toledo he set up the winery in the farm call Pagos de Familia Marqués de Griñón, an extension of his family since 1292. The denomination of Valdepusa, as his wines are label for the first simple wines bottled in Spain and today export to the world. The wine that I like the most is the 2010 Dominio de Valdepusa The grapes with which the wines are produced come from the own vineyard planted 20 years ago. After fermenting in stainless steel tanks, it is aged in a heated container in French oak barrels for 18/24 months. Ruby red color of high layer, intense aroma of red forest fruit and spices, structured and powerful in the mouth. To consume today, but it will certainly improve over the next ten years. Cabernet Sauvignon (90%). Merlot (10%). The official Marqués de Griñon on its wines : https://marquesdegrinon.com/en/
We went over for a bottle of Finca La Estacada, from the Uclés area red tempranillo Crianza ; this was great yummy full and crafted in an old farm belonging to the descendants of queen Maria Cristina of Spain and widow of king Fernando VII. Acquired by the current owners in the mid 20C the family Cantarero Rodríguez ,winery from 2001. The complex now has bodega, hotel ,and restaurant. The wine like said is heavy powerful red full with raspberries and vanilla, light fruity tannins in mouth full body , great yummy in the end. Excellent price: quality value to grab by the case The official Finca La Estacada wines: https://fincalaestacada.com/
The Finca Antigua recommended by the rental house owners, and a favorite ever since 2016, This winery is part of the great Spanish winegrowers Martinez Bujanda, very well known to me. The wines of Finca Antigua were first time tasted and we got several bottles due to the knowledge of the winemaker and the local recommendation. The winery is in the town of Los Hinojosos practically in the border of the provinces of Cuenca and Toledo in Castilla La Mancha of course. We first tried the Finca Antigua Cabernet Sauvignon Crianza 2014 and it was a bit light for our tastes; mineral hints from the cabernet but with nuances of dairy and undergrowth, indicating the freshness we obtain due to the altitude of the estate; grapes from Las Mejias lot. We moved up to the Finca Antigua Unico Crianza 2011, with cabernet sauvignon ,syrah, tempranillo, and merlot grapes. This one was much better for our tastes. Highly intense dairy hints of yoghurt, toasty character with woodland hints oak spicy nutmeg clove and tobacco and slight toasted sensation. smooth creamy on the mouth, full bodied and rounded, well integrated acidity/alcohol and very balanced, long creamy finish, very fresh . Finally, we have drank the Finca Antigua Reserva 2010 cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and merlot. Very intense, delightful sensations of fallen leaves with fresh mint, thyme, eucalyptus to the front. Touches of vanilla and dairy ,oak well integrated with the fruit hints of tobacco, leaf, juniper, aniseed, very elegant complex suggestive. The taste full and powerful great body with backbone very rich and pleasant, great for rich cuisine. The Familia Martinez Bujanda on the Finca Antigua wines: https://familiamartinezbujanda.com/en/finca-antigua/
We have been with the unique Alejandro Fernandez ,a winemaker very well known to me and have met him, (now business run by granddaughters) this was again a first time drink on the El Vinculo 2011 Tempranillo red. The winery is near the windmills of Campo de Criptana (of Don Quijote fame) that was purchase a manchego typical house that was modernized into the winery or bodega in 1999. The name of the wine is to make it close to the original bodega of the family in the Duero region ; El Vinculo= the tie end or link. The wine El Vinculo 2011 red tempranillo was aged for 18 months in American oak barrel and 6 months in the bottle. In the mouth has sweet tannins mark with a mature fruit and an explosion of cherries, blackberries and blueberries. The official Familia Fernandez Rivera on the Vinculo wine: https://familiafernandezrivera.com/en/bodegas/el-vinculo/
This is the property we tried to visit twice in last two years and always closed in August even if we did call ahead to see it, and finally close for inventory ! Well , we purchase the bottles at La Licoreria wine shop in Cuenca, and tried the red wine. Their site tells us in Spanish and I translated, the Bodega under the name of Bodega Familiar Uribes Madero is born in 1980 and the first bottle under Calzadilla does not come than in 1992. Today at Pago Calzadilla you have 26 hectares of which 20 are dedicated to the vineyard with a production of 100K kg of grape to produce the tintos or reds. The Calzadilla Classic 2010 is done with Tempranillo 60%, Cabernet-Sauvig non 20%, Syrah 10%, and Garnacha 10%. Harvest from land parcels name Fogón, Aldehuela, Bildorado, Chocilla del Vinagre, and Viña Olivos. The taste is of the lighter variety,not our favorite on this bottle but nice nevertheless. The color is deep red with aromas of prune, raspberries, and white fruits like pear. You see the eucalyptus and tobacco, vanilla, and glycerine. Fruity sensation by the mouth from beginning to end . Round , balance with good acidity , long and expressive final. I just need to add was light texture with hints of wood, and high tannins still in it. The official Pago Calzadilla on its wines : https://pagocalzadilla.com/en/the-winery-vineyards-denomination-of-origin-calzadilla/
Valdepeñas is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in Spain. Since 1895, when Valdepeñas wine was first tasted in Madrid, it was also one of the major exports to the Philippines, Cuba and Central America through the Port of Cadiz. The production area of the Valdepeñas Designation of Origin is located in Campo de Montiel to the east, Campo de Calatrava to the west and Sierra Morena to the south. An area of more than 24,000 hectares. The municipalities included are Valdepeñas, Alcubillas, Moral de Calatrava, San Carlos del Valle, Santa Cruz de Mudela, Torrenueva and part of the municipalities of Torre de Juan Abad, Granátula de Calatrava, Alhambra and Montiel. 95% of the total vineyards in the production area are protected by the Valdepeñas Designation of Origin, with its cultivation distributed in a proportion of 48% red grape varietals and 52% white grapes. White varieties Airén. Macabeo. Chardonnay, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Moscatel de Grano Menudo Red varieties Cencibel or Tempranillo. Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot White wines Joven – Carbonic Maceration – Barrel Fermented, Oak and Aging Red wines Joven – Carbonic Maceration – Barrel Fermented, Oak Aging, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, Rosé wines, Sparkling wines, Semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines Bodegas Los Llanos Pata Negra Gran Reserva 2006, Red Bodegas Los Llanos is part of one of the biggest Spanish wine companies, Garcia Carrion group.
A.O.C. Valdepeñas Viña Albali Gran Reserva is made from grapes of the early variety harvested in the vineyards of the Solís family. This wine goes through a long aging period in the stillness of our barrel room. Valdepeñas takes its name from the historic city of the same name that lies in the valley of the river Jabalon, with small rock formations (Val-depeñas valley of the stones). It is located in the south of Castile La Mancha, in the center of Spain. The climate is extreme, with temperatures reaching the 40s in summer and -10oC in winter. This wine takes its name Albali from one of the brightest stars in the constellation of Aquarius. Inspired by the clear, starry sky, Félix Solís wanted to create a wine that captures the joy and art of living in Spain. Viña Albali Gran Reserva is produced from grapes of the Tempranillo variety picked by hand on the Solis family’s own vineyards. This wine aged for a long time in the quiet of our cellar.
The Castilla La Mancha regional Tourist office on its wines: https://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/de-vinos/denominacion-de-origen-y-pagos/
The official La Mancha DO denomination wines: https://lamanchawines.com/en/apellation-of-origin/mapa-y-estadisticas/
Apolo y Baco is a site, that I helped input info when it began many years ago, now much better. In Spanish, but you have all info here even contact information for all Bodegas in Spain. The official Apolo y Baco on the Castilla La Mancha wines : https://apoloybaco.com/vinos/denominaciones-de-origen-en-castilla-la-mancha/
There you go folks, all these wines are great to buy and drink, the price/quality ratio is huge, and bargains of gastronomic proportions; La Mancha is it, and Spain is stepping out. Drink with moderation but drink wines is good for you too. Again, hope you have enjoy this post on the wines of Castilla La Mancha !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
ps. Fitting on the land of Don Quijote that I will put these famous all time phrases , and I won’t translate;;;!!! En vino veritas !!!
La comida es la parte material de la alimentación, pero el vino es la parte espiritual de nuestro alimento.» Alejandro Dumas
“Un buen vino es como una buena película: dura un instante y te deja en la boca un sabor a gloria; es nuevo en cada sorbo y, como ocurre con las películas, nace y renace en cada sabor.” Federico Fellini
El vino hace la vida más fácil y llevadera, con menos tensiones y más tolerancia.» Benjamin Franklin
Dios no hizo más que el agua, pero el hombre hizo el vino.» Victor Hugo
«El vino es la cosa más civilizada del mundo.» Ernest Hemingway
El vino da brillantez a las campiñas, exalta los corazones, enciende las pupilas y enseña a los pies la danza.” José Ortega y Gasset
El vino, mientras más se envejece, más calor tiene: al contrario de nuestra naturaleza, que mientras más vive, más se va enfriando.» Lope de Vega
«Se templado en el beber, considerando que el vino demasiado ni guarda secreto ni cumple palabra.» Cervantes
«Me gustaría ser todo de vino y beberme yo mismo.» Federico García Lorca
«Para conservar la salud y cobrarla si se pierde, conviene alargar en todo y en todas maneras el uso del beber vino, por ser, con moderación, el mejor vehículo del alimento y la más eficaz medicina.» Francisco de Quevedo
«Un gran vino requiere un loco para hacerlo crecer, un hombre sabio para velar por él, un poeta lúcido para elaborarlo, y un amante que lo entienda.» Salvador Dalí
Paris1972-Versailles2003 