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.
Malbec, a high-yielding red grape variety, produces tannic and colourful wines. It is produced in different wine-growing regions and changes its name according to the grape variety. Called Auxerrois in Cahors, Malbec in Bordeaux, it is also known as Côt. 6,000 hectares of the Malbec grape are grown in France (in decline since the 1950s). Malbec is also very successful in Argentina. The country has become the world's leading producer of Malbec and offers wines with great potential.
wines from the region of Castille-et-Léon go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of beef tagine with prunes and almonds, quick couscous or duck confit (canned).
On the nose in the region of Castille-et-Léon often reveals types of flavors of iron, cream or cherry and sometimes also flavors of oaky, citrus or smoke. In the mouth in the region of Castille-et-Léon is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
