How Castilla La-Mancha in Spain Became One of the World's Greatest Wine Destinations

Our at-times overtly simplistic introduction to Castilla-La Mancha in Spain is likely attributed to the Ruidera Lagoons. Its ensemble of springs, waterfalls, streams, and the like, after all, is said to have been the inspiration for the adventures of the famous Don Quixote of La Mancha. We may also think of beautiful Toledo or the Hanging Houses of Cuenca or the region's beautiful parks. Although, if we ask connoisseurs, they'll tell you that the region is best known as Spain's great wine region.

Situated in the south and east of Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha is where some of its leading vineyards can be found, surpassing the vastness of fellow wine regions like neighboring Madrid, Valencia, and Murcia. At an impressive 460,000 hectares of wine-producing terroir, the region grows half of Spain's wide range of grape varieties.

A winery in Manzanares.

Photo by COURTESY.

We can even trace the origins of vino de mesa and, of course, Sherry, the Spanish's signature fortified wine, to Castilla-La Mancha's vineyards. These include white varietals like Airén, Macabeo, and Albillo, among others, which are turned into Macabeo, Malvar, and Sauvignon Blanc. The whites are creamy, with notes of apricot or peach to them.

As for dominant red grape varieties, the region gives us the likes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, Alicante Bouschet (or as the locals say Garnacha Tintorera). The reds are bold and lush and exhibit a characteristic note of, well, grilled toast, they say. These are distinct blends made under Mediterranean and continental conditions.

Daniel Ramirez Madrigal from Foobespain. 

Photo by courtesy.

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The Philippines got to experience a glimpse of these flavors with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Foreign Trade and Investment Institute of Castilla-La Mancha (IPEX). Recently, they brought us a taste of the region's finest vineyards through some key wineries. This would lead to a grand wine-tasting ceremony at Makati Diamond Residences, attended for importers and distributors to appreciate the region's wineries.

Portento Crianza en formato magnum.

Photo by FACEBOOK/Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo.

Among those that presented included one of the biggest wineries in the world Virgen de las Viñas, Designation of Origin (D.O.) and Vino de la Tierra (IGP). These are two of the most authentic wineries in the Castilla-La Mancha region. DO is one of the most sought-after wines in Spain for its "Pagos" status, which is the highest level in the Spanish Denomination System.

Santa de Alpera winery, on the other hand, brought products made with Garnacha Tintorera. Also known as Alicante Bouschet, this grape variety is popular in the Iberian Peninsula for its particular mix, producing wines with interesting color and aroma, rich in antioxidants, uniquely its own. For artisan wine lovers, Bodegas Romero de Ávila Salcedo and Bodegas Isidro Milagro made quite the impression.

Call this a reintroduction, if you will. Of course, nothing beats going to the region yourself.