Extremadura

DO region named after the Guadiana river (the name translates as “banks of the Guadiana“) located in the Extremadura region in Spain, on the border with Portugal. The vineyard area totals 13.200 hectares. The region was created in 1999 from six former country wine regions (VdlT´s), these are now considered to be sub-zones. These are Cañamero, Matanegra, Monánchez, Ribera Alta de Guadiana, Ribera Baja de Guadiana and Tierra de Barros. The last-named region had already been classified as a temporary „DO provisional“ since 1979, and is the largest of the sub-regions, and the one considered to produce the best quality; this is ascribed mainly to the efforts of the leading producer, „Bodega Inviosa“. 20 varieties are permitted in the region, many of them indigenous, and some of them originating in Portugal. The white varieties make up around 80% of the vineyard area, these are used mainly to produce young wines (Jovenes), large quantities are also used as base wines for brandy. The white varieties are Alarije, Borba, Cayetana, Chardonnay, Eva (Beba de los Santos), Malvar, Mantúa, Moscatel de Alejandría, Pardina (Pardillo), Pedro Ximénez, Parellada, Perruno, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Viura (Macabeo). The red varieties are Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cencibel (Tempranillo), Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha Tinta (Grenache). High-quality red wines are produced mainly in the vicinity of the town of Almendrajelo, mainly varietal wines are made here from French varieties.