Vino de Castilla or Vino de la Tierra de Castilla is situated in the La Mancha region, in central Spain, just south and east of the city of Toledo. This wine zone is also known as Castilla-La Mancha; at 450,000 acres of vines, this is Spain's largest wine district and one of the largest in the world. Much of this viticultural landscape is a vast plain, with vineyards on flatlands that receive a great deal of sun. As you might imagine, the level of quality varies here, from inexpensive, simple whites and reds to more full-bodied, age worthy reds, the best of which are comparable to a Riserva Rioja (but priced less).

One of the primary products is brandy made from the Airen variety, which accounts for more than 70% of all plantings. At the other end of the spectrum are the riserva reds, made from Tempranillo. These wines, offering marvelous complexity, display the true potential of Vino de Castilla. (Wine/Appellations)