Valdepenas

Valdepeñas DO is located south of Castile-La Mancha in central Spain. It is almost completely encircled by the massive La Mancha DO and borders Andalusia to the south. 

It has always remained an independent DO entity , not the least thanks to its long history of producing a distinctive traditional style of light red wine known aloque or clarete by blending the local white Airén and red Cencibel grapes. In the last two decades, Valdepeñas has been following the footsteps of La Mancha, with new plantings of ameliorateur grapes and  investment in modern wine-making facilities and practices (Felix Solis, the biggest single winery in Spain, has its base in the region)

The authorised varieties are for the whites: Airén, Macabeo, Chardonnay, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscatel. For the reds: Tempranillo (aka Cencibel), Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot

The best located vineyards are in Los Llanos (the plains) in the west and in Las Aberturas (mountain passes) in the north. The climate is extreme continental (scorching hot summers and bitterly cold winters) with temperatures reaching 40°C in summer and up to -10°C in winter. Summer droughts, spring hail and winter frosts create a harsh environment for viticulture.

These climatic conditions, combined with the destruction caused by phylloxera in the early 1900s, explain the dominance of the drought-resistant, sturdy Airén (over 80% of the vineyard area), which makes squeaky clean, light-bodied, cool-fermented, pleasant, uncomplicated whites.

The future of the DO lies with its red wines made from Cencibel, which has the capacity to age well in reserves and gran reserves, often supplemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and even Petit Verdo. The best examples display silky-textured, vanilla-accented, fruity character and are well-priced alternatives to young Tempranillo wines from established regions like Rioja.