These are the main varieties used at Soledad winery.
It is the finest red grape in the area. In La Mancha it is called cencibel, in Catalonia ull de llebre, in the Douro tinto fino, etc.. This grape produces wines of excellent quality and long aging potential thanks to its low oxidative level. Its flavour is fruit forward, with blackberry-depth hints. Its characteristic colour is ruby. These are wines of great finesse and balance between body and acidity.
Variety of Bordeaux origin, is the quintessential grape of the Medoc area. Mostly used as complementary varietal in vintage wines –coupage-, provided it is barely oxidation-prone. In a single-varietal cabernet wine vegetable aromas predominate like carrots, tomato, green pepper. It is also characterized by aromas of mint and blackcurrant. The palate is somewhat astringent, with temperament.
We do not have definitive data on the origin of this grape although historians situate it around the city of Shiraz in Persia. It is believed that it ultimately originates from the Jordan Valley in modern Syria. The Syrah is a variety of low production and high sugar-content musts. It is very sensitive to wind as the branches break quite easily. One of its most striking aroma features is the scent of violets. In Spain syrah has adapted itself seamlessly to the eastern coast and La Mancha regions.
Garnacha is a suitable variety for wines of high graduation and very intense color, golden red. Young Garnacha wines have aromas of freshly ground pepper while maintaining aromas of raspberry and blackberry. They are round and friendly wines.
It is a variety grown in Spain since ancient times, known as lairén, manchega, valdepeñera, etc.. It often goes unnoticed that this white variety is the mostly produced by volume in the world, virtually all of it in Castilla La Mancha. This plant is very resistant to harsh drought conditions, clusters are large and loose, grapes are thick, yellow and regular sized. The resulting wines are light, very fresh.
The queen of fine white grapes, of Burgundian origin, its wines are characterized by a smoky aroma that reminds of currants. Unoaked wines of this variety are very fine and elegant (citrus, peach, pineapple, coconut, melon, kiwi) and deep colour. Ideal for ageing because this will generate aromas slightly different from those of other white grapes when subject to oak aging in barrels. Ageing is normally carried out through the method of "barrel fermentation", i.e. the must rests on its lees. In such a case croissant and butter aromas are very common.
Viura, Macabeo, Alcañol, Blanca de Daroca, Forcalla, Gredelín, Perpignan… different names for the same variety. A variety that stands as one of the most respected, and with the greatest potential in Spain. Its clusters are large and compact. The berries are large in size, have thin skin and are golden in color. Its aromas are similar to palomino but this grape has more color and more body, giving the wines that meloromantic touch depending on the fermentation time. Its alcoholic composition in the middle season is 13º of alcohol. It produces a wine with a delicate aroma and a pale straw yellow color with green tones. They are not usually very alcoholic wines, with a graduation between 9 and 10.5%.
It is a high quality grape, being one of the most important white grapes in Spain. It is characterized by its small and upright clusters. Its leaves are small. The grapes are small-medium size with yellow color. The nuggets are large, appreciating when the grape is observed.
This grape produces fresh and balanced wines, pale greenish yellow, slightly acidic and fruity marked by a vegetable hue. They are very aromatic, full-bodied, glyceric and soft wines. Good acidity and characteristic bitter touch.
Its origin is uncertain as it is cultivated from ancient times in two broad areas of France: Loire Valley and Bordeaux. The grape is small in shape and golden. The wines obtained are elegant and very fragrant. Sometimes this variety forms part of sparkling wines.
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