Although a prolific wine producer (half of Spain's wines come from this region) the area's wines have gone almost unnoticed until approx ten years ago when new production methods  gave rise to a more palatable drink.  The main grape varieties used are Tempranillo and Áiren.  The latter produces white wines and is not a particularly popular variety amongst wine makers. Tempranillo on the other hand is well known for the quality of the wine that can be achieved and when blended with other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot the outcome can be some very acceptable wines.  At the moment, wine from this region is  relatively cheap when compared with the likes of Rioja but an increase in popularity will more than likely result in price increases in coming years. In 2005 the government spent 7 million euros in a bid promote the region's wines

THE INCREASINGLY POPULAR VIÑA ALBALI FROM VALDEPENAS

The main wine growing regions of Castilla La Mancha  are Valdepenas and La Mancha.  The towns of Alcázar de San Juan, Pedro Muñoz, Socuéllamos, Tomelloso, Villarrobledo, Campo de Criptana and San Clemente should be on the itinerary for wine  tours. One of the emerging Valdepenas wineries is Viña Albali.  They produce some excellent crisp dry whites and oaky reds similar in flavour to some of the good Rioja's. In Spain, Viña Albali is flying off the shelves at prices that in some countries would make you weep.  A decent Albali in some Spanish supermarkets is a ridiculous 1.75 euros!!!  Many wine merchants are now beating a path to the door of this winery to buy large quantities of what they consider to be a winner. Buying wine when touring the region, is accepted as part of the experience.  A box of six decent wines will only set you back about 15 euros and buying a five litre container as little as seven euros.

To conclude, the wines of this region may well be on the verge of competing with the more famous Rioja and Navarra wines.  Lots of work has been carried out in an attempt to promote the wines from the region. Valdepenas can now be found across the world where they  are gaining acceptance as one of the new breed of Spanish wines.