The wines of Castilla y León, despite their quality and diversity, are less globally known than wines from Italy or France due to several historical, cultural, and market-driven factors. It is important to note that France and Italy have been the historic titans of the wine world for centuries. Regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, and Champagne have enjoyed international prestige since the 18th century, with well-established reputations and high market demand. Castilla y León, while old in winemaking, only gained significant international recognition in recent decades, especially in the case of regions like Ribera del Duero.
Spain’s major wine regions, including Castilla y León, have been slower to gain international attention for, until the 1980s, Spanish wines were largely unnoticed on the world stage. Although some areas, like Rioja, were known internationally, other regions, such as Ribera del Duero, Rueda, and Toro, emerged more recently and continue to face the challenge of gaining broader recognition.
France and Italy have invested heavily in marketing their wines globally and establishing brands synonymous with luxury and high quality. French and Italian wines are often associated with premium, luxury experiences. At the same time, Spain, including Castilla y León, has not marketed its wines as aggressively in the global luxury market, leading to fewer consumers associating them with premium quality.
Spanish wines, including those from Castilla y León, are often positioned as more affordable options. While this makes them attractive to certain market segments, it may work against positioning these wines as high-end luxury products. Consumers perceive wines from Spain as offering good value but may not place them in the same “prestige” category as wines from France and Italy.
Spain produces unique grape varieties like Verdejo and Tinto Fino, which are less familiar to international consumers than grapes like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir. This unfamiliarity can make it harder for Castilla y León wines to resonate with consumers who know and trust classic French and Italian grape varieties and styles.
Spain’s wine production has largely focused on its domestic market, so Spanish wineries have been slow to adapt to international tastes and export demands. In contrast, French and Italian producers have a long history of crafting wines specifically for export.
Modern wine consumers, especially in North America and Asia, are increasingly exploring Spanish wines, and interest in regions like Ribera del Duero and Rueda is growing. However, this trend is still catching up to the established appreciation for French and Italian wines, which have a long-standing consumer base.
In recent years Castilla y León has been gaining more recognition due to its quality, variety, and value for money, and some regions like Ribera del Duero are now competing with the top-tier wines of France and Italy. As consumer interest in discovering new wine regions grows, Castilla y León has the potential to gain a larger share of the spotlight.
Why Castilla y León Wines
Castilla y León in Spain is fascinating for wine lovers because of its diverse climates, rich soils, and varied terroirs that allow for the production of unique, high-quality wines. Its geography ranges from high plateaus to river valleys, contributing to microclimates that shape the wines’ character. Soils vary from limestone to clay and sand, creating ideal conditions for different grape varieties.
The region is known for its Tempranillo, or “Tinto Fino,” especially in Ribera del Duero, where it produces bold, structured reds. Rueda, on the other hand, is famous for Verdejo, a grape that yields vibrant, aromatic white wines with zesty acidity. Toro is also known for robust Tempranillo-based wines.
Castilla y León experiences large temperature shifts between hot days and cold nights, which help grapes develop balanced acidity and concentrated flavors. This diurnal range is essential for wines with complexity and depth.
Several Denominaciones de Origen (DO) in Castilla y León are celebrated worldwide, like Ribera del Duero DO, Toro DO, and Rueda DO. Each DO has strict regulations to ensure quality, leading to wines that can compete on the global stage.
While rooted in tradition, the region is known for innovative winemakers who experiment with new techniques and grape varieties. This spirit of experimentation has brought international attention and awards to Castilla y León’s wines.
1. Bodegas Vebanzones. Picnic Verdejo. D.O. Rueda 2023 White. 100% Viura
Bodegas Veganzones is a family-owned winery in the Ribera del Duero region, with additional production from the nearby D.O. Rueda, renowned for its Verdejo wines. The Veganzones family’s winemaking roots date back to 1956 when they began cultivating vines in the historic village of Valbuena de Duero, an area with a rich winemaking heritage.
Initially, the vineyard operated on a small scale, primarily producing wine for local consumption, which was typical in rural Spain during that era. However, as Ribera del Duero gained international acclaim in the late 20th century, the family recognized the growth potential. They formally established Bodegas Veganzones, modernizing their facilities and refining their techniques to produce wines that could compete internationally.
While their main vineyard holdings remain in Ribera del Duero, the Veganzones family expanded production to include D.O. Rueda, allowing them to diversify their offerings with wines like Picnic Verdejo, which captures the fresh, aromatic style characteristic of Rueda’s white wines.
Bodegas Veganzones is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking, aiming to preserve the integrity of the grapes and reflect the terroir in their wines. They blend traditional viticulture with modern techniques, emphasizing hand-harvesting, careful sorting, and precise fermentation to ensure the highest quality.
Tasting Notes
The Picnic Verdejo 2023, crafted from Verdejo grapes grown in sandy soils, is harvested manually at night to preserve its freshness. This wine embodies Rueda’s signature style: crisp, vibrant, and aromatic.
In appearance, it displays a pale-yellow hue with hints of green, signaling freshness and youth. The nose is greeted with classic Verdejo aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple and passion fruit, complemented by citrus notes of lemon and lime. Herbal undertones of fennel and fresh-cut grass add complexity. On the palate, Picnic Verdejo is light-bodied with bright, zesty acidity, making it refreshing and easy to drink. The tropical and citrus flavors are enhanced by subtle mineral notes, leading to a clean finish with a characteristic slightly bitter almond note.
Best served chilled, Picnic Verdejo is enjoyable on warm days, bringing out its crisp acidity and vibrant fruit flavors.
2. Bodegas Valdecontina. Vina de Martin 2022 Red from DO Bierzo
Bodegas Valdecontina is a family-owned winery in the D.O. Bierzo, a region known for its unique terroir and diverse grape varieties. Established in the early 21st century, the winery is rooted in a deep respect for traditional winemaking practices while embracing innovative techniques. The vineyards in the hills of Bierzo, benefit from a combination of Mediterranean and Atlantic climates, creating ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality grapes.
The Viña de Martín vineyard is particularly noteworthy, featuring old vines meticulously cared for by the Valdecontina family. These vines produce low yields of concentrated fruit, reflecting the region’s heritage and the family’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. Over the years, the winery has gained recognition for its dedication to quality, producing wines that embody the essence of Bierzo.
Tasting Notes
The Viña de Martín 2022 is a red wine that showcases the best of Bierzo’s grape varieties, primarily Mencía. In the glass, it presents a deep ruby color, indicative of its rich fruit concentration. The nose finds an enticing bouquet of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, blended with hints of floral notes and subtle earthy undertones. A touch of spice and minerality adds depth to the experience.
On the palate, Viña de Martín is medium-bodied with a vibrant acidity that balances its fruitiness. Flavors of ripe red berries, plum, and a hint of black pepper are complemented by soft tannins, making it smooth and approachable. The wine’s minerality lingers highlighting the character of the Bierzo terroir. The finish is elegant and persistent, leaving a pleasant memory of fresh fruit and a hint of herbs.
This red wine is best enjoyed slightly chilled, making it an excellent pairing for dishes like grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or mushroom risotto.
