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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.
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