Manchuela Wine Region

Manchuela wine appellation is one of the biggest wine-growing areas in Castilla La Mancha. The region was once a part of a larger La Mancha DOP but separated in 2004 to pursue its own interest to produce wines with quality and creativity. Manchuela wine appellation covers 70 municipalities in the province of Albacete and Cuenca. The region is popular for its unique wines produced in small batches that are of top quality and highly expressive. The wineries are dedicated, quality-oriented, and creative with a lot of motivation to bring you fine wines. The La Manchuela Wine Route was created to offer the world the benefits of this great wine-growing region.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Manchuela!

Where is the Manchuela wine region?

Manchuela is located in the autonomous area in Manchuela Comarca, in central Spain, in the eastern region of Castilla La Mancha. Nestled between the Jucar and Cabriel rivers, the valley is evidently a wine-growing zone, geographically and climatically.  Manchuela is bounded on the east by Utiel-Requena and Valencia, on the west by Ribera del Jucar and La Mancha, and on the south by Almansa and Jumilla. The total vineyard surface is approximately 7,000 hectares, mostly plated with Bobal grape variety. The Manchuela wine region is 140km west of the city of Valencia, 199km north of the city of Murcia, and 253 km southeast of the city of Madrid.

History of the Manchuela wine region

Manchuela wine appellation was a part of the much larger wine region, La Mancha, until 1982. In order to distinguish their wines from the bulk wine producers from the La Mancha region, the Manchuela was separated as a new Denominación de Origen Protegida in 2004. The region is unique in the Castilla La Mancha region, focusing mostly on quality, small production, and innovation. The name “Manchuela” means “lesser La Mancha” in Spanish. 

The terroir and geography of the Manchuela wine region

The region has a continental climate with long hot arid summers and cold winners. The cool moist winds flow across the region at night from the Levant which reduces the temperature of the region. The region has very low rainfall and sometimes no rainfall at all. The terrain of the Manchuela wine appellation is mostly wide flat land that elevates on the western part. The soil is mostly clay with limestones and marls. Most of the vineyard in the flat area lies at an altitude of 600-700 meters while some vineyards go up to 1000 meters in the mountainous western region. Two east-flowing rivers, Jucar and Cabriel, converge in the region and are credited for the development and growth of the Manchuela wine appellation. 

Popular grape varieties from the Manchuela wine region

Bobal grape dominates the Manchuela wine appellation accounting for approximately 40% of total grape production. Other grape varieties authorized to grow in the region are as follows:

Red Varietals: Monastrell, Cencibel, Garnacha Tintorera, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Frasco, Graciano, Malbec, Mazuelo, Moravia Agria, Moravia Dulce, Pinot Noir, and Rojal.

White Varietals: Albillo, Chardonnay, Macabeo, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Pardillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, and Viognier.

Food to pair with Manchuela wine 

Paella

Paella, a one-pot delicacy made with saffron-flavored rice, is one of Spain's most popular dishes. As additional ingredients, the meal may incorporate meat, fish, or vegetables. According to folklore, paella originated in Valencia, where it was made with seasonal vegetables, fowl, rabbit, and occasionally snails. Nowadays, most rice dishes in Spain are referred to as Paella. The meal is generally served in a shallow pan that may also be used for cooking.

Because paella is cooked in a large and shallow pan, it has a crispy bottom layer - caramelized rice layer called socorrat. The dish differs for each restaurant since authentic versions require more time and skill. The Paella complements perfectly with wines from Manchuela.

Barbecue

Barbecue is mostly known as a cooking method usually enjoyed in an outdoor social gathering, at which meats or fish along with vegetables are roasted over a wood or a charcoal fire with the lid closed. 

Barbecuing has been a part of American culture and is popular throughout the United States, enjoyed during a celebration or social gathering. Barbecue is often served along with the sauce, salad, sweet potato, and beans. Mostly favored meat is pork and beef. Other barbecued items include lamb, chicken, sausages, and sometimes seafood as well. 

Most zinfandel pairs very well with barbecued meat and sausages that are smoked with the sweet and spicy marinade. 

Pair up with the robust Bobal red wines, especially from the Manchuela. 

Roasted Lamb

Lamb is a versatile meat that can be enjoyed year-round with special indulgence. Many flavors complement lamb so you can use a variety of herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the flavor of your choice. 

Roasted lamb dishes such as rack of lamb, leg of lamb, or lamb cutlets, go well with robust red wines from the Manchuela wine appellation. 

Places to visit in the Manchuela wine region

Pasaje de Lodares

Between the Tinte and Mayor streets is an alley that will completely immerse you in modernism. The gallery is built in modernist architecture in the early 20th century and is one of the only three modernist galleries. Located in the heart of Albacete, the historic center of Spain, the Lodares passage is one of the most fascinating streets in Spain and a symbol of the city. The Valencian architect is reported to have designed the edifice around 1925 and was later built by Gabriel Lodares. 

The corridor is supported by Renaissance columns, which are interlaced with shops. Its ceiling is a skylight with an iron structure and glass sheets that allow light to flow through and change appearance with any changes in its daily path. The interior facades are embellished with mythological adornments, including a plethora of Mercury, the god of trade. The iron bars on balconies and doors are notable examples of the town's ironwork skills. If you are somewhere close to the city of Albacete, visit this real gem.

Museo de la Cuchillería de Albacete

Museo de la Cuchilleria de Albacete is established in the House of Hortelano, once a small palace constructed in the early 20th century, in the city of Albacete. The museum was reported to have been designed by Daniel Rubio. This amazing place that takes you through the time is located in the central plaza of the cathedral in a beautiful modernist building encompassing gothic and eclectic styles. The museum boasts rare arts from the world of cutlery from various materials, times, and types. Since its inauguration on 2004, the museum has been hosting an annual exhibition dedicated to scissors and knives. 

Frequently asked questions about Manchuela