no
235
Don Cristóbal
Monastrell, Tempranillo
Entry level of red wine, a young fruity one, Central Spain from the large Castilla region
Spain, Castilla, Don Cristóbal, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Monastrell - Tempranillo, NV
Introduction
The name of Castilla is more often combined with La Mancha as a wine region. This blend is bottled away from the region in Barcelona by Henkell-Freixenet and selected by winemaker Gabriel Suberviola. Freixenet is from origin a Cava producer and is owned by Henkell since mid-2018 with a majority share.
Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain is a vast area of vineyards. The 700.000 hectares place it among the largest wine growing areas in Europe and forms 1/3 of Spain’s vineyards, as well as Spain’s wine production. Don Cristóbal is a Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, a classification created in 1999. This wines classification is between a table wine and a DO and comparable to a Vin de Pays in France. The extreme conditions make it hard here for growing DO wines, a fairly low yield, with e.g. +45 degrees in the summer and -12 degrees in the winter, hence producing vast volumes at low prices.
Introduction
The name of Castilla is more often combined with La Mancha as a wine region. This blend is bottled away from the region in Barcelona by Henkell-Freixenet and selected by winemaker Gabriel Suberviola. Freixenet is from origin a Cava producer and is owned by Henkell since mid-2018 with a majority share.
Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain is a vast area of vineyards. The 700.000 hectares place it among the largest wine growing areas in Europe and forms 1/3 of Spain’s vineyards, as well as Spain’s wine production. Don Cristóbal is a Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, a classification created in 1999. This wines classification is between a table wine and a DO and comparable to a Vin de Pays in France. The extreme conditions make it hard here for growing DO wines, a fairly low yield, with e.g. +45 degrees in the summer and -12 degrees in the winter, hence producing vast volumes at low prices.
Year:
NV
Approx:
£ 5.00
Best Served:
14-18 °C
Vol:
13.0 %
Review Date:
29 . 03 . 2019
Origin:
Spain, Castilla
Wine specifics
Ready to drink. Smooth, young, fruity, hints of cocoa, liquorice. Serving red meats, grills, roasts, pastas, cheese. The label makes a reference to one of Columbus’s sailing ships, an Italian sponsored by the Spanish (1492 - the Crown of Castille) to explore the West. Obtained in France, may not be available in the UK or limited. Cork.
Ready to drink. Smooth, young, fruity, hints of cocoa, liquorice. Serving red meats, grills, roasts, pastas, cheese. The label makes a reference to one of Columbus’s sailing ships, an Italian sponsored by the Spanish (1492 - the Crown of Castille) to explore the West. Obtained in France, may not be available in the UK or limited. Cork.
Insights:
There is also a white, based on the Airén grape, native to Spain and grown in vast quantities, even though the (Tempranillo) reds are slowly reducing and taking over this production. Freixenet is based in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, in Catalonia, not far from the town of Barcelona. It is not just Cava anymore. A long history of winemaking and it took really off at the end of the 19th century. They have also interest in e.g. France (Yvon Mau – review no. 179) and Australia Wingara Wine Group since 2008, owning Katnook Estate, Coonawarra and Deakin Estate, Murray Darling. And taken over by Henkell & Co. Sektkellerei in 2018 (a daughter company of Dr. Oetker). This wine is not to be confused with the Argentinean winery Don Cristobal. DO – Denominación de Origen (France – AOC). Christopher, in Spanish is Cristóbal.
Review Date:
29 . 03 . 2019
