Denominacion de Origen
The appellation covers 192 municipalities in the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo, in Castilla-La Mancha, making it the largest wine appellation in the world by surface area. It occupies a sedimentary plain south of the Meseta, bordered by the Serranía de Cuenca, the Montes de Toledo and the Sierra de Albacete, along the upper basin of the Guadiana river. Vineyard altitude ranges from 480 metres in the north to 700 metres in the south. The soils, of Miocene origin and predominantly calcareous, are often reddish in colour; depending on the area they may be calcareous, sandy, clay or stony, and are generally low in organic matter. The continental climate brings extreme temperatures, from minus ten degrees in winter to over forty degrees in summer, annual rainfall limited to 300-400 millimetres, and strong sunshine. The white variety airén dominates the planted area, alongside macabeo, verdejo and chardonnay; among red varieties, cencibel, the local name for tempranillo, is grown together with garnacha, bobal and cabernet sauvignon.
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La Mancha produces white, rosé and red wines, as well as sparkling wines made using the traditional method. Recognised categories range from young wines to those aged in oak, crianza, reserva and gran reserva. Reds, made mainly from cencibel, show an intense ruby colour with violet tints, aromas of red and black fruit such as cherry, plum and strawberry, sometimes with spicy notes, and a firm tannic structure in youth that softens with ageing. Crianza and reserva versions offer good ageing potential. Whites, dominated by airén and complemented by aromatic varieties, show a pale colour, floral and fruity aromas, and freshness and acidity that vary by variety; they are mostly drunk young. Young reds pair well with grilled meats and cured meats, oak-aged versions suit roasted meats and mature cheeses, while whites go well with fish and seafood.
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