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

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

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