Castilla-La Mancha

Huge area in the provinces of Albacete and Cuenca in the Castilia-La Mancha region in eastern central Spain. In the west it borders on the DO La Mancha, in the north-east on the DO Utiel-Requena and in the south on the DO Jumilla. The vineyard area totals 75.000 hectares, as per 2002 only 3.700 hectares had been classified as DO. The dominant soil type is deep clay and marl with limestone sediments. The region has a dry continental climate with hot summers that enjoy abundant sunshine, and relatively cold winters. Everywhere in the region, the dominant grape variety is the red Bobal, which covers 70% of the vineyard area. Other permitted red grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cencibel (Tempranillo), Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Monastrell, Moravia Dulce and Syrah. Viura (Macabeo) is the dominant white variety, making up 90% of the total, other permitted white varieties are Albillo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.