Description
Castilla y León, in the northern half of the central Iberian Plateau, is the largest of Spain’s 17 administrative regions, covering about one-fifth of the country’s total surface area. It stretches roughly 350 kilometers (220 miles) north from the center of Spain and equally wide, it connects the Rioja with the border of Portugal.
The international success of key producers in Castilla y León has done much to raise the central Spanish region’s profile. Among these are Vega Sicilia, Numanthia-Termes, Campo Eliseo and Bodega Palacios Remondo. They have spearheaded modernization in the region and brought renewed interest to its wines.
Grape varieties and wine style
Red wines rule in Castilla y León, and the Tempranillo grape variety is unquestionably the king. It is known here by various synonyms including Tinta del Pais, Tinto de Toro and Tinto Fino. It is the grape behind all of the region’s finest wines except Bierzo, which makes good use of Mencia. The supporting cast includes the French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
