Spain: Castilla La Mancha between trees and windmills

In Castilla La Mancha there are 451,000 ha of vineyards, which produce about 22 of the 40 million hectoliters that are produced annually in Spain on average. White grape varieties are prevalent and represent 55% of the total and the main one is Airén, of which there are almost 200,000 ha, equal to 43% of the total vineyard area of Castilla La Mancha. Until the year 2000, the Airén with 329,000 ha represented about 60% of the area under vines in the region, after which it was subjected to explanting to make room for other vines, mostly black grapes, in order to expand the ampelographic base and differentiate the offer of wines produced. The Airén mainly produces sparkling base wines, which are sold throughout Europe, especially in Germany and Austria and, before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, also in Russia. The second largest white grape variety is Macabeo, with 22,000 ha, followed by Verdejo with 5,000 ha, and Chardonnay and Sauvignon with around 4,500 ha each. Among the ...