This is the most characteristic white grape of the South Meseta and one of the most abundant in Spain (32%), localised above all in Castilla-La Mancha. Also used in Tierra de Castilla Spanish Wines.

In other regions it is also known as Lairén, Manchega, Valdepeñera and Forcayat. Very productive and well adapted to the extreme dryness and heat of the Manchegan climate. It is a vine of a creeping nature with a vigourous trunk, pentagonal leaves of medium size and strong green colour. It supports severe pruning and produces large, loose yellow-coloured bunches of grapes with a skin of medium thickness, a soft pulp and colourless juice.

Airén Spanish grape produces wines with good aromas and moderate acidity, with fine qualities for the production of young and traditional wines.

Land of Vineyards

Considered the typical variety in the D.O. Almansa, Jumilla and La Mancha. Also used in Tierra de Castilla Wines

The plant is very resistant, likes a dry, continental climate and resists drought and frosts well. It enjoys sun, and, if it receives it in quantity, is high yielding. It is susceptible to diseases such as oidio and mildew . The bunches are large and thick. The grapes are small, round and thick-skinned.

It gives intense, aromatic wines, very suitable for ageing (rancios and dessert wines). They are dry and meaty, with an intense ruby colour and high alcohol content.

It combines very well with Cabernet-Sauvignon, Garnacha and Syrah.

Land of Vineyards

Of Spanish origin, in some areas it is also known as Viura or Alcañol.

It has an erect posture, and its branches tear easily in wind. It buds late and is hardy against the early frosts. The bunches are very large and branched. The Spanish variety of Tierra de Castilla wines has grapes are medium sized, spherical, of a golden yellow colour and have quite a thick skin. Its wine is very resistant to oxidation. the musts, marketed as such, are very interesting due to their freshness and paleness.

Macabeo provides very pale Tierra de Castilla wine with a fruity flavour and a fixed strong acidity. It is excellent for producing sparkling and aged Spanish wines, of great aromatic intensity, with a structured palate and light astringent notes.

Land of Vineyards

Located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, Castilla-La Mancha occupies the South Submeseta, a strategic location for communication between north and south of the country, crossed also by the axis between Portugal and the Mediterranean Levante.

Halfway between Madrid and Andalusia, the territory of the region corresponds to the municipalities that make up the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara and Toledo . An extensive area, more than 79,000 square kilometres, which represents more than 15% of the national territory.

Neighbour of the regions of Madrid, Castilla y Leon, Aragon, the Region of Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia and Extremadura, it is comprises mainly the valleys of the Tajo and the Guadiana, which carry their waters to the Atlantic. Its lands are also bathed by two smaller but no less important rivers, the Jucar and the Segura, which empty into to the Mediterranean basin.

The diversity and variety of the landscape is the prevailing characteristic of the region’s geography.
The huge plain called the “Gran Llanura de la Mancha” , perhaps the most homogeneous and extensive natural region of the country and which forms the central core, and the Alcarria Plain, which extends into parts of the provinces of Guadalajara and Cuenca, dominate the most of the territory.

No less important are the mountains which, although of relatively little elevation, contain a wealth and variety of geologic, geomorphologic, hydrographic and unique biogeographic features. It is bordered by the Central System mountain chain (Sierras de Ayllón, Ocejón and Somosierra in the north of Guadalajara and the Sierra de San Vicente in the province of Toledo); the Iberian System, which spans part of the provinces of Cuenca and Guadalajara; the Sierras de Alcaraz and del Segura in Albacete; the foothills of the Sierra Morena which go into Ciudad Real (Sierra Madrona); and the Montes de Toledo, extending between the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo.

Castilla-La Mancha is transforming itself along its length and breadth, offering the possibility of enjoying large areas of parks and natural reserves, with landscapes both diverse and outstanding.

Land of Vineyards

Olcaviana Syrah

Rich, intense ruby coloured wine with a rich mixed berry aroma and smooth palate. A good, very fruity wine with good tannic structure and a pleasant, lingering aftertaste.

Bodegas Olcaviana was founded in 1994 by the Ruiz family, a family with a long history in winemaking, and represented in the 20th century by Tomás Ruiz (1900-1983), a well known vine grower and winemaker.

www.bodegasolcaviana.com

In 1999 the Courts of Castilla-La Mancha approved the ¨Indicación Geográfica Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla¨ (Geographic Indication of the Wines of Castilla) for those wines that are made with grapes produced in this autonomous community. The objective of this initiative is to facilitate identification for consumers who demand different wines from both Designation of Origin or Table wines. This new indication has been warmly welcomed in the vinicultural sector.

Requirements: The minimum natural alcohol volume level is 11 degrees for whites and rosés, and 12 for the reds. On the main labels, the municipality of the Region where the wine has been bottled or dispatched must be shown, while the secondary label must display the image of the outline of the territory of the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha, correctly positioned in the interior of the silhouette of the Spanish peninsula. At the time of bottling of a batch of Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, the person responsible must notify the operation details to the Office of Agriculture and Environment to control the use of the label.

Varieties:

REDS
Principal: Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Monastrell, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Cencibel or Jacivera
Complementary: Coloraíllo, Frasco, Garnacha tintorera, Moravia agria, Moravia dulce or crujidera, Negral or Tinto Basto, Tinto Velasco

WHITES
Principal: Airén, Albillo, Chardonnay, Macabeo or Viura, Malvar, Sauvignon blanc
Complementary: Merseguera or Meseguera, Moscatel de grano menudo, Pardillo or Marisancho, Pedro Ximénez, Torrontés

Land of Vineyrads

It is impossible for anyone who knows Castilla-La Mancha to conceive the region without vine cultivation, one of its greatest economic and social assets, the definer of its landscape, environment, culture and history – an inalienable heritage that has given Castilla-La Mancha recognition as the region with the most vineyards in the world, the results of a tradition that has become the clear identity of this territory.

Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Toledo and Guadalajara; provinces in which the vines are deeply rooted. Rooted in history, in the culture,… up to the point that the customs and local festivals, the literature and even some of the religious beliefs are notably conditioned by the vine.

Castilla La Mancha Land of Vineyards

The vineyards of Castilla-La Mancha are set out on a large plain with loose and healthy soil, clearly suitable for vines. With a limestone – clay composition, its lithological characteristics vary depending on the zone, a factor that favours its own diversity and that of the agricultural produce.

Although it is a southern zone, its latitude is compensated by an altitude that exceeds 600 metres above sea level, and in some areas reaches 900 and even 1,000 metres; consequently, its climate is suitable for obtaining wines of high quality: a Mediterranean climate with continental degradation, marked seasons and considerable contrasts in temperature (daily and seasonal), which is a very favourable factor for the production of aromas. The lack of rain is compensated by abundant aquifers and by the present conversion of a good part of the vines, as well as new plantations, with the installation of drip watering systems and trellises, which permit, among other things, mechanised harvesting and rationalisation of other tasks.The light, a fundamental factor in the physiological nature of the vine, is totally favourable in this region. If  Spanish vines receive, in general terms, more than 2,500 light hours, those of Castilla-La Mancha some thousand more, a circumstance that some have defined as “viticulture by light.”

Tierradevinedos.org

The Counselor of Agriculture and Rural Development of Castilla La Mancha and the director of the Institute of Foreign Promotion of Castilla La Mancha (IPEX) have participated in the opening of the Miami Wine Fair 2009. The Wines from Castilla La Mancha has had a great success among US consumers, hoping that, at the end of the event at the Miami Beach Convention center, wineries from Castilla La Mancha will obtained 30% more business.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jose Luis Martinez Guijarro, has visited the stands of each of the 19 wineries from the region involved in this event and has emphasized that “the objective of the regional government is to help each of the Exhibitors that participate in the fair in its commercial contacts”. The quality and value for money of our wines made a critical contribution to the success of our wineries in the first day of the fair, according to Guijarro

Professionals and prescribers have recognized that our wineries produce excellent value for money wines, which in the current economic situation provides an opportunity to introduce our wines in the North American market.

A large number of importers have participated and have established contacts with the exhibitors present in this fair, which has been attended by more than 3,500 people, with 30% increase over the previous edition. In that regard, the Counselor has established commercial contacts with wine importers and wine merchants to develop the campaign for the promotion of the wines of the Spain of Don Quixote in the United States.

The wine consumption in the United States has steadily increased in the past 10 years at a rate of 3% annual and, in this regard, wine exports from Castilla La Mancha to the United States reached more than 7 million euros, which represent an increase of 700% in less than 10 years. As the counsellor explained to the media, these figures makes Castilla-La Mancha ranks 8th in the list of top ten wine exporting regions.

Martinez Guijarro has also attended the series of tastings, carried out throughout the day at the fair, featuring an exciting line up of Wines from Castilla La Mancha hosted by Charlie Arturaola, Florida´s sommelier A total of 20 wines from different designations of origin have taken the lead role of the tasting, attended by more than 60 professionals from the industry.

http://winesfromcastillalamancha.com /jccm.es

Wines VG and Vinomarketing present Pedroheras wine tasting video.

Wine Tasting Video Pedroheras Wine transcription:

 Hello and welcome to Wines from Castilla La Mancha

Today we are in a winery, with more than 50 years of history, from Las Pedroñeras, in the province of Cuenca (Spain)

Bodegas Pedroheras

We have with us today, Francisco Saez, export manager

who is going to tell us about the winery and its wines

well, tell us who you are. What kind of product do you produce?

This winery, which is part of a 52 year old coop,

with 800 members

has a goal to make wines of greater structure and quality that has been produced before

coming from a separate budget from that of the coop

At this moment, we are making bulk wine,

and (over here) prize winnning wines.

Ok. we are going to see the wines you have chosen and taste them in front of our audience.

We have selected 3 wines. the first is Airen, very common grape variety in Castilla La Mancha

the 2nd is Verdejo, which is not very common in Castilla La Mancha. But with the OCM and re-planting

has adopted very well to the region with outstanding results.

which is our flagship wine

It is the king of red Spanish grapes, abundantly grown in CLM (and goes by the name Cencibel).

You were telling me that

both the airen and tempranillo are D.O La Mancha

but the Verdejo is under Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla,

since you elaborate under the denomination of origin as well as under Vino de la tierra de Castilla.

ok, let’s start with the Airen:

(holding it up), it is very clear & bright

pale straw in color which is characteristic of Airen

clean, no defects

(on the nose) with aromas of apples, hints of bananas & pineapples.

tropical notes,

hints of bananas and pineapples.

in the mouth

(now swallowing it)…………..

Sorry

it is very good on the palate

it supports what is found on the nose. good finish..good Airén

bronze prize winner of Cuenca

Now, we will taste the Verdejo.

not typically found in Castilla la Mancha (not an authorized grape variety)

therefore, labeled under VdlT. Some wineries are beginning to cultivate it in our region.

We have visited today another winery that is also elaborating verdejo

Verdejo is more commonly grown in Rueda DO

green and herbaceous notes

golden yellow

on the nose,hints of mint and anise

and anise, supported by citrus notes.

tropical and banana

very good on the nose.

in the mouth, it reminds me of a good Cava.

there is high demand for this grape variety in Northern Europe

and the US

it is more marketable than Airen in the export markets

Aside it is the subject of the variety, perhaps it is more well-known in the markets than the variety airen or at least has more prestige.

You know Talking about wine sometimes is just a matter of being fashionable or not, it is not the wine that you like.

Verdejo is fashionable as well as albariño

and airén is not that fashionable at the moment.

We are going to taste your tempranillo.

You already have told me that it is very good tempranillo.

Here is your glass

young tempranillo, no oak. 2008 vintage

… red ruby color…

13%… Cencibel…

as you may know in Castilla La Mancha, tempranillo also and goes by the name Cencibel

Very clean and shiny

and on the nose

raspberry… also strawberry…

Very smooth

this is a wine that is creamy and is very appreciated.

I believe that tempranillo variety is going to be the future in the United States

It is a easy to drink wine.

you don´t need food to enjoy it

it can be enjoyed going out or chatting with friends,

it is a wine suitable for any occasion

A wine that tastes these two raspberry and strawberry fruit flavours.

In the mouth it is a wine that is creamy

It gives me the impression me that I am eating a strawberry candy

… and a good finish, good tempranillo of Castilla La Mancha

good tempranillo from La Mancha

Prize winner for the second year in a row

Ok, So, with this wine

and with the white ones, you will try to go with these wines to the export makets

this wine can fit in the United states

and also in The United Kingdom

where consumers like this fruity easy to drink style.

Yes it represents exactly what these markets are demanding.

Ok, thank you very much for showing us your wines

Bodegas Pedroheras.

From Las pedroñeras, Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha, Spain

It is under the DO La Mancha but also it makes Vino de la Tierra de Castilla…

and for those of you who want to taste these wines… or to visit them…

you can find more information on our web site. thank you very much