On the arid plains south
of Madrid, La Mancha's 419,000 acres make up Europe's
single largest denomination of origin, but with
average annual rainfall of only 16 inches (400
mm) and typical summer temperatures rising to
104?? F (40?? C), yields are naturally small.
La Mancha was long out of favor with connoisseurs
for old-fashioned techniques that allowed wines
to become oxidized before their time, but temperature
control and stainless steel fermentation and earlier
harvests have improved the wines. Much La Mancha
wine is sold in bulk or distilled for Spanish
brandy. The traditional red varietal is Tempranillo
(here called Cencibel), but new plantings also
include Cabernet Sauvignon. La Mancha whites are
simple everyday wines, quite inexpensive, made
with Air??n, a native vine with extremely high
drought resistance. Some Chardonnay is also being
planted.
