Castile and León (195)

Castles, Bodegas, Berries, Bravo!: Castile and León

The self-governed community Castile and León has a vibrant history. The medieval castles are particularly numerous in this Spanish landscape. Therefore, the Iberian region is also known as the land of castles. There are also many vineyards that bear the designation D.O. Denominación de Origen (D.O.) is, in addition, a quality proof for the cultivation of vineyards and, of course, for the delicious wine. In the bodegas of the Spanish winemakers, the wine berries are lovingly and carefully vinified into quality wines. When one gently swirls a deep red Tempranillo in the glass, smells it, and then tastes it, one wants to immediately shout a heartfelt ¡Bravo! to the diligent winemakers from Castile and León.

The Cigales Wine Region in Castile and León

Along the winding, narrow Río Pisuerga, the vines of Cigales D.O. bask in the sun. At about 800 m elevation, the wine berries ripen. The river provides the soils with important nutrients. Here, a beautiful backdrop emerges. In the valley, the smooth river Pisuerga flows, and on some terraces, the vines grow. Sunshine and a blue sky ultimately create a picturesque landscape. The Cigales wine region in Castile and León has borne the renowned designation D.O. since 1991. It begins approximately 16 km north of Valladolid and has a vineyard area of about 2650 ha. The winemakers in Cigales predominantly cultivate Tempranillo and Garnacha. Additionally, rosé wines are produced here that are wonderfully refreshing for the hot and dry summers of Castile and León.

Tempranillo is a somewhat delicate blue berry that ripens early. It has recently been revealed that the most popular Spanish grape variety is a cross between Albillo Mayor and Benedicto. A Tempranillo is characterized by a fairly high acidity. Furthermore, it is very dark and aromatic at the same time. The alcohol content is about 12%, which is neither too low nor too high. Tempranillo is also well known in Castile and León from the D.O. Ribera del Duero and D.O. Toro.

White Grape Varieties of Castile and León

Although the focus in Castile and León is on red wine, Spanish winemakers also cultivate their vineyards with white grape varieties (blancos). A selection of common white varieties:

• Malvasia
• Verdejo
• Viura
• Godello
• Palomino
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Albillo

Castile and León's Popular White Wine from Rueda

The D.O. Rueda in Castile and León is primarily known for its top-quality white wine. At an altitude of about 700 m and along the Duero River, winemakers cultivate the white grape variety Verdejo. Previously, the wine region was not known for white wine at all. However, the red vines were completely destroyed by phylloxera in the 19th century. The specialization in white grape varieties occurred in the 1970s. Since then, a rapid development has been observed. The winemakers have achieved very good results with Verdejo and other white varieties. Moreover, the aromatic wine is a class of its own. And the winemakers from this part of Castile and León love to present their results with joy and pride.

Toro Wine Growing in Castile and León

In the center of the autonomous community of Castile and León lies the Toro D.O. wine region. The wine-growing area of the province of Zamora is known for its excellent and outstanding red wines. Since 1987, Toro has been classified as a D.O., which has been accompanied by a significant increase in quality. The viticulture also takes place along the Duero River here. The high plateau of North Meseta allows for the cultivation of predominantly red grape varieties at elevations of up to 750 m. Just over 4,000 ha are under cultivation. Around the turn of the millennium, viticulture in Toro had significantly declined, with only a few hundred hectares of vineyard area under cultivation. Now, Toro is once again on the rise and impresses with an astonishingly high quality. The grape variety Tinta de Toro is particularly characteristic of the Castilian region. It descends from the Tempranillo variety but is smaller. Notably, the acidity of Tinta de Toro is lower. The flavor is more intense, and the bouquet has a strong, enveloping character. Due to the high tannin content, the tasty grape variety appears in a nearly black color in the glass.

Castile and León

The autonomous community of Castile and León has the largest land area in Spain. Northwest Castile and León consists of nine provinces. Valladolid, with about 300,000 inhabitants, is the most populous city and the seat of government. The North Meseta (500 – 1000 m above sea level) is significant here. Surrounding Castile and León are mountains. A continental climate prevails – summers are hot and dry, and winters are long and cold. August averages 30ºC during the day, while January sees temperatures around 8ºC. From May to September, there are at least ten hours of sunshine per day. The wine-growing regions are mostly found along rivers or near the mountains. Numerous D.O.'s shape Castile and León, where red grape varieties are cultivated more frequently than others.

Interesting Facts About Wine from Castile and León

Which grape variety is commonly cultivated in Castile and León?

The red grape variety Tempranillo makes up the largest share of the total vineyard area.

What are other important grape varieties from Castile and León?

In addition to the Tempranillo grape, the red grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Mencía, Malbec, Merlot, and Garnacha are important and frequently found.

What are Vinos de la Tierra from Castile and León?

A so-called Vino de la Tierra is a wine from Castile and León whose quality level is below that of D.O. wines. The Vinos de la Tierra are very good wines but do not undergo the strict quality controls and criteria.

Buying Wine from Castile and León

Browse our online shop VINELLO and find delicious wine from Castile and León. We offer you a good selection of wines from the Spanish community. In our online shop, you can easily and conveniently pay. To ensure your enjoyment, we will ship your order quickly and securely, almost worldwide. Treat yourself to a delicate wine from Castile and León or gift your relatives and friends.

We are happy to address your questions and wishes! Our phone number is 0351 – 469 256 55. You can reach us via email at [email protected]. Look for us on Facebook or check out Instagram @vinello_wine. Discover the wonderful world of wine from Castile and León with us. We look forward to seeing you!