Mondéjar Designation of Origin
History: The Mondéjar Designation of Origin acquired official status in 1996 and currently counts with 93,962 hectares of vineyard pertaining to 20 municipalities of the province of Guadalajara. Wine has been produced in this area for centuries, in great measure due to the strategic position that Mondéjar occupies on the road that joins Valencia and Madrid. Its traditional market has been limited to local taverns.
Geography and soil: This area is located in the south-western part of the province of Guadalajara, in an area of transition between La Alcarria and the plateau of the Mesa de Ocaña, watered by the Tagus and Tajuña rivers. Its average height is considerable, standing at about 800 metres above sea level. The landscape is that of gentle rolling hills and two types of soils are distinguished: part of it is red soil on lime bearing clay sediments with gravel, good permeability and aeration, poor in organic matter and phosphorus and rich in potassium. The other type is dark and limy soil over lean clay, sandstone and conglomerate, with good aeration and permeability, alkaline pH, rich in calcium and carbonates, poor in organic matter, nitrogen and magnesium.
Climate: Presence of easterly winds and the altitude give this area a temperate Mediterranean climate with some traits of a continental climate, with average annual rainfall standing between 400 and 600 mm. In a normal year the danger of frost ranges from mid November right through to the beginning of April. In an extreme year frosts may even start as of the month of October and continue through to the beginning of May.
Varieties: The main varieties of red wine grapes that are grown in the area are Cencibel and Cabernet-Sauvignon, while in the case of white wine grapes Macabeo, Malvar and Torrontés stand out.