Castilla y León

One of the 17 autonomous regions in #Spain, also an historical region (also known as Old Castilia, or Spanish Castilla y León), with an area of around 66.000 km² in the north of the Iberian peninsula, also known as the „Land of Castles“. It was at one stage the border region between the Christian and Moorish world, and for that reason many castles and fortresses were built here. It is regarded as the heartland of modern Spain. The Moors were driven out in 1492, and Valladolid was named the capital, replacing Burgos in the north. This remained so until 1561, when king Philipp II. (1527-1598) selected Madrid in so-called New Catilia to be the capital in future. In this highly eventful 16th century, viticulture in the region experienced its golden age due to the requirements of the royal court, and those of the colonies conquered in the New World. Today, mainly red wine is produced, the leading red grape varieties are Mencía, Garnacha (Grenache) and Tinto del País (Tempranillo), as well as the white varieties Verdejo, Viura and Palomino. Classified Dos are Bierzo, Cigales, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro.