DO Almansa – Wines with aroma and colour

LOCATION AND HISTORY

A symbolic castle guards the 7,200 hectares of vineyards in Almansa, a city situated in the southeast of the province of Albacete. It is about a transit point between the plateau and the Mediterranean which shares characteristics with both areas. Viticulture in the areas surrounding Almansa has developed without interruption since the 16^th century, and even though there was a considerable number of wineries before, it has become more selective these days. Their wines are being bottled and exported to more than 20 countries, from Japan to the United States.

SOILS

The vineyards of DO Almansa are planted in a gently sloping ground in altitudes between 700 and 1,000 meters. The soil is very rich in limestone and poor in organic material, alternating rocky areas with little substratum with more sandy, deep ground. The vines tend to be on the most fertile soil, well carbonated in general providing the ideal conditions for the production of quality wines.

CLIMATE

The climate is continental on the border of the plateau and according to the altitudes that slope down towards the Vinalopó valley, it is becoming semi-arid. The wide range of temperatures is typical in these areas, as well as the scarce rainfall. The permeability of the soil and the low productivity make it possible to produce wines with a very strong aroma and color.

TYPE OF GRAPE

The most used red grapes in the production of quality wines in DO Almansa are Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cencibel (Tempranillo). For white wines, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Moscatel de Grano Menudo. The real protagonist is the native variety, the Garnacha Tintorera, which unlike the others has a colored pulp. Before, it was used to give color to the wines, but in recent years it is used to produce unique varieties of high quality.