Castilla La Mancha

Castilla La Mancha occupies the southeast half of Spain’s vast central plateau. Total area is over 30,000 square miles. Generally flat, it is bordered on all sides by mountain ranges. Geologically, it’s underlain by a mix of marine sedimentary sand- and lime-based rock strata, dating to the Cenozoic era. The geology increases to the south and west, and into the mountain belts surrounding the central plateau. The mesata is divided by the Montes de Toledo into two zones- the Tagus (Tejo) watershed to the north and the Guadalquivir watershed to the south. Average elevation of the plateau is around 2,000 ft.

The climate is continental-modified Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold winters. Daily temperature variation is quite high, in the range of 30 degrees F.

The region was settled in the Paleolithic, throughout Meso- and Neolithic and into the Bronze Age. By the time of the Roman conquest, the area already boasted settlements that rapidly evolved into cities. Roman control, mining and viticulture lasted well into the 6th Century when the region was conquered by the Visigoths, then in turn by the Arabs during the 8th Century. Gradually returned to Catholic control during the Reconquista, the Kingdom of Castile merged with that of Aragon in the 15th Century and became the foundation for modern Spain.

The region is the most prolific wine producer in Spain, with 1,700,000 acres under vine producing over 50% of Spains total grape production. In fact, it’s the single largest wine production area in Europe.

Wines of Castilla La Mancha

The region produces a huge variety of grapes. Significant indigenous varieties include Airen, Viura (Maccabeo), and Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat a Petits Grains) for whites; and Bobal, Garnacha Tinta & Garnacha Tintorera, and Tempranillo (locally Cencibel) for reds. International varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also widely grown.

Alma de Mecenas

“The Soul of the Vigneron” is a project of Vinedos de Aldeanueva, a large group of wineries and vineyard holdings operating throughout Castilla La Mancha and Castilla y Leon. There are five wines under this label, of which Terroir represents two - the Cabernet and the Garnacha. Both are soft, balanced, easy-drinking wines with very soft tannins and moderate acidity.