Mondejar is the northernmost wine zone in Spain's Castilla-La Mancha region. It is located in the Guadalajara province, just east of Madrid and north of the vast La Mancha.
The official Mondejar viticultural area surrounds the historic town after which it is named. Wine production here dates back hundreds of years and has traditionally concentrated on basic wines for consumption in local taverns and for the bulk market. However, Mondejar's winemaking underwent significant improvements in the late 1990s, and its official status was upgraded from Vino de la Tierra to DO (see Spanish Wine Label Information).
© Wikimedia/SanchoPanzaXXI
The Mondejar landscape is characterized by low, gently rolling hills dotted with wheat fields, olive groves and vineyards. The vineyards are mostly clustered in the low hills surrounding Mondejar town itself, although some are scattered further afield. The area is divided roughly in two by the Tagus River, which provides an all-important water supply and also deposits trace elements in the local subsoils. Two distinct soil types have been identified in the region: in the south-east (near Mondejar town) are red sedimentary soils over lime-rich clays, while in the north-east are darker, sandier soils over marl.
Climatically, Mondejar is different from the other wine regions of Castilla-La Mancha in that, despite being inland, it is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. Mondejar receives coastal winds from the east, helping to moderate temperatures that reach 104F (40C) in summer and fall well below freezing in winter, making frosts a real threat to vines. The high altitude of its vineyards (2625ft/800m) is also important in moderating temperatures over the hot summers.
Red wines are certainly the most promising and prevalent here, particularly those made from Tempranillo (known locally as Cencibel). Whereas powerful reds and whites were traditionally favored, these have given way to lighter, finer wines. The evolving style of Mondejar wine has also developed to include oak-aged reds based on Cabernet Sauvignon, some of which are showing distinct promise. Macabeo (Viura) leads the white varieties grown here, while Malvar and Airen are also permitted, and are often used in the production of sweet whites.
Overall, Mondejar's wines are characterized by their unpretentious and simple nature, displayed through youthful and fruity styles.
