La Mancha Wines

At 155,000 hectares, La Mancha is Spain’s largest DO region and also the largest single wine region in the whole of Europe, home to over 240 wineries and large cooperatives. It’s the land of Don Quixote and windmills, lying south of Madrid and west of Valencia. In the summer, it is a hot, arid area meaning that vines are trained as small bushes to help shade them and conserve water. Historically it has produced huge quantities of low quality wine, and whilst it still does, this has begun to change over recent years.

The tough-skinned, white Airen is the most planted grape, a relatively tame white variety that makes inexpensive and easy drinking, fresh wines. Tempranillo, known locally as Cencibel, is the key red, made mostly into fruity, young wines. Garnacha, Bobal and some Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown. The reds are increasingly good quality, and offer great value too.