Located in the northern half of the Central Iberian plateau, Castilla y León is the largest of Spain's 17 administrative regions, covering about one-fifth of the country's total area. It extends about 350 kilometres (220 miles) from central Spain to the northern coast. Just as wide, it connects the Rioja wine region to the Portuguese border. Red wines reign supreme in Castilla y León, and the Tempranillo grape is undoubtedly the king.
It is known here by various synonyms, including Tinta del Pais, Tinto de Toro and Tinto Fino. It is the source of all the best wines in the region, with the exception of Bierzo, which makes good use of Mencia. The other grape varieties are the French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The white wines of Castilla y Léon are much less numerous than the reds, but hardly less prestigious.
Very old Spanish grape variety originating and cultivated in the upper Douro Valley - Ribera del Duero province of Burgos -. It is believed to be the result of a natural cross between the white Heben and a variety that is still unknown today. It should be noted that the synonym albillo is used for many other grape varieties, such as chasselas, muscat of Alexandria or albillo de Toro, verdejo or albillo de Nava, ... and it should not be confused with torrontés riojano. You can find the Albillo mayor in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Peru, Chile, Bulgaria, ... completely unknown in France.
