Castilla y León
Castilla y León: Spain’s Great Wine Plateau
1. Where It Is
Castilla y León is a large region in northern Spain, stretching along the Duero River.
Its vineyards lie on a high plateau, between 650 and 1,000 metres above sea level — some of the highest in Europe.
The climate is hot in summer and cold in winter, but the cool nights help the grapes keep freshness.
This combination gives wines that are ripe, full of flavour, and well balanced.
The main wine areas are:
- Rueda – famous for fresh white wines made from Verdejo.
- Toro – powerful reds from Tempranillo (called Tinta de Toro).
- Cigales – elegant rosés and smooth reds.
- Bierzo – floral, fresh reds and textured whites from the cooler northwest.
2. The Grapes
| Grape | Colour | Main Regions | Wine Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempranillo (Tinta de Toro / Tinto Fino) | Black | Toro, Ribera, Cigales | Deep colour, rich fruit, firm tannins |
| Verdejo | White | Rueda | Crisp, aromatic, citrus and fennel notes |
| Mencía | Black | Bierzo | Light to medium body, floral and mineral |
| Godello | White | Bierzo | Pear and apple flavours, creamy texture |
| Garnacha Tinta | Black | Toro, Cigales | Juicy red fruit, spice, warmth |
3. Rueda – Fresh and Fragrant Whites
Rueda lies in the centre of Castilla y León, around the town of Valladolid.
The main grape is Verdejo, making wines that smell of citrus, melon, and herbs.
They are usually fermented in stainless steel to keep freshness, though some spend time on lees or in oak for creaminess.
Rueda also produces some sparkling wines and small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc.
4. Toro – Strong and Structured Reds
West of Ribera del Duero, Toro is hot and sunny.
Old vines of Tinta de Toro give deeply coloured, full-bodied reds with flavours of black fruit, spice, and cocoa.
Modern winemakers are now harvesting a little earlier and using larger oak barrels to make fresher, more balanced wines.
Some producers also make small amounts of dry white wine from Verdejo.
5. Cigales – Rosado and Elegant Reds
Cigales sits just north of Valladolid.
It is known for its dry rosado (rosé) wines, made mainly from Tempranillo and Garnacha.
These wines are pale pink, crisp, and fruity, with notes of strawberry and grapefruit.
A few producers also make soft, fresh reds and small quantities of white wine.
6. Bierzo – Cool and Fragrant Wines
Bierzo lies in the northwest corner of Castilla y León, near Galicia.
It has a cooler, wetter climate, and its steep hillside vineyards give lighter, more aromatic wines.
The main red grape, Mencía, produces wines full of cherry, herbs, and violet.
The white grape Godello makes smooth, mineral wines that can age beautifully.
7. Key Facts
| DO | Main Grapes | Wine Style | Altitude | Climate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rueda | Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc | Fresh white wines | 700–850 m | Continental |
| Toro | Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) | Powerful reds | 620–750 m | Hot and dry |
| Cigales | Tempranillo, Garnacha | Rosado and soft reds | 700–850 m | Continental |
| Bierzo | Mencía, Godello | Light reds and mineral whites | 450–900 m | Atlantic influence |
8. Summary
Castilla y León is Spain’s great high plateau of wine, where altitude and sunshine create grapes with intensity and balance.
- Rueda gives crisp white wines from Verdejo.
- Toro makes bold, structured reds.
- Cigales is known for dry rosados.
- Bierzo offers elegant, fresh reds and textured whites.
Together, they show how one region can produce many different wine styles — all with a clear sense of place.
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