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Almansa is a small DO wine zone in the eastern corner of Castilla La Mancha. The climate is extreme - very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Wines, which are sturdy reds and traditionally used for blending, are made from the Monastrelle and Garnacha Tintorera grapes.
Jumilla Manchega is a DO wine region north of Mercia. The principal grape variety is the Monastrell which produces wines with a high (sometimes up to 18%) alcoholic strength. The large San Isidro co-operative dominates production.
La Mancha is Europe's largest single DO wine region. The vineyards are 420,000 acres of arid land. The Airen vine grows particularly well here. Red wines are made from Cencible (Tempranillo) grapes. Much of the output of the region is still distilled into industrial alcohol or used to make Brandy of Jerez (in Jerez itself).
Mentrida is a Spanish town and wine zone southwest of Madrid producing robust red wines from the Garnacha grapes. Much of the wine output is drunk locally.
Mondejar is a DO wine zone in northern Spain near Guadalajara. The DO, created in 1996, produces table wines mainly from the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
Valdepenas is a wine region in south-central Spain producing soft, ripe red wines. The white Airen grape is the dominant variety with Cencibel also produced. The red wine for which the region is most famous is produced from a blend of white and red grapes. The best red wines, however, are made entirely from Cencibel. (Note: Valdepenas is also the name of a relatively unusual grape variety of California).
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