El Vicario

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone covers approximately 2 km in width from the course of the Guadiana river and 7 km in length, delimited by sites such as Casas del Batán, Cabeza del Fraile, Cerro de Sancho Rey, and El Sedano.
• The terrain presents gentle undulations generally decreasing toward the river, over calcareous soils of light texture, well-drained and of medium fertility.
• The calcareous soil, of light texture and shallow depth, presents a calcium content averaging above 15 mEq/100 g (>3,000 ppm), compared with the 8–10 mEq/100 g (1,600–2,000 ppm) average of other viticultural soils in Castilla-La Mancha.
• The presence of the river and the proximity of the reservoir give the surroundings, of holm-oak scrubland and shrubby vegetation, a milder mesoclimate that moderates extreme climatic conditions.

• The zone produces white wines from red-grape varieties and white wines partially fermented in barrel with a small proportion of Garnacha Tinta or Tempranillo without maceration, known as blanc de noirs.
• Aged red wines must attain a minimum actual alcoholic strength of 12.5% vol., higher than the 11.5% vol. required by the neighbouring PDO La Mancha.

• The red wines stand out for their finesse and a very subtle sensation of scrubland garrigue, together with the balance between tannins and acidity and a moderate alcohol content.
• The rosé wines display a distinctive aromatic character, with a sense of balance that brings softness on the palate and a very pleasing sensation of freshness.

• The milder mesoclimate, by moderating extreme climatic conditions, tempers grape ripening and contributes to the profile of delicate aromas and to the sensations of scrubland garrigue.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF) — +5 varieties added
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-N1634
• Official trade body site — Pago del Vicario