Castilla La Mancha – DO Almansa
This autonomous region was perhaps made most famous by Cervantes’ Don Quixote, the man of La Mancha, an errant, self-styled ‘knight’ who, with his companion Sancho Panza, set out in search of adventures more based in fantasy than fact. Those very familiar with this classic story might recognize the terrain: this territory is known as the meseta, a hot, high and dry table land that is dotted with windmills (one of which Don Quixote actually attacked).
Most of the vineyards are planted at elevations between 2,200 and 3,200 feet, the fluctuation due to mildly noticeable rolling hills. In terms of winemaking DO Almansa’s is primarily associated with full-bodied reds made from Monastrell and Garnacha Tintorera grapes, the latter so named because of its red colored flesh. Until recently, much of this wine was sold off as blending agents for other regions, but since gaining DO status, the region has come into its own.
Sources of additional information on DO Almansa: