La Mancha

La Mancha is the largest wine region not only in Spain, but in the whole of Europe. Not only one of Spain’s largest wine regions, it is also one of the oldest. Winemaking is thought to have originated here in Roman times, and was certainly widespread during medieval times. Under Moorish rule between the 8th and 15th Centuries, it was known as al-mansha, meaning “parched earth”, an apt description for the arid countryside here.

The most successful grape varieties in La Mancha are those hardy enough to withstand the harsh conditions. The white Airen is a local favorite, accounting for the bulk of production. Tempranillo (known locally as Cencibel) is by far the most popular red wine variety, often accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
La Mancha has an extreme continental climate. Summer daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), but drop dramatically as darkness falls. Winters are cold, with sub-zero temperatures and frequent frosts. These dramatic climatic variations, along with low annual rainfall (on average 350 millimeters / 14 inches), create certain challenges for grape-growers.
Sunshine is plentiful at around 3,000 hours a year. La Mancha’s grapes ripen without difficulty, making excessive heat one of the region’s key challenges. The high temperatures here are mitigated only slightly by the area’s elevation of between 490 and 700 meters (1,600 and 2,300ft) above sea level.

Long-term investment in modernization has been critical in improving La Mancha’s bulk-wine image from the 1970s. More and more high-quality wines have emerged, so the region’s prestige is slowly building.