D.O. Vinos de Madrid Wine Region

Introduction to the Madrid Wine Region

Exploring the Denomination of Origin “Vinos de Madrid”

Nestled in the vibrant landscapes of central Spain, the Madrid wine region, officially known as “Vinos de Madrid” DO, showcases the rich viticultural traditions of the area. The region is divided into four subzones: Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, and El Molar. Each area offers distinct soil types and microclimates, enhancing the unique character of their wines.

Diverse Terroirs Shaped by Natural Influences

The geography is significantly influenced by the Sistema Central mountains and several major rivers, creating a variety of terroirs. This diversity is key to the distinct flavors found in local wines, making the region an example of how terrain can influence viticulture.

Indigenous and International Grape Varieties

Local vintners are committed to cultivating both indigenous grape varieties like Malvar, Albillo Real, and Tempranillo, and international types. Adhering to strict regulations, they ensure each bottle preserves the authenticity and quality Madrid wines are known for. This dedication is evident in the vibrant colors, robust flavors, and aromatic complexity of the wines.

Wine Description

Discover the variety of wines produced in the Madrid wine region:

White Wines (Vinos Blancos)

Madrid’s white wines are visually pale straw yellow with greenish, gray, or steely tones in their youth, evolving into a golden yellow or old gold as they age. Their aroma is notably clean and predominantly fruity, featuring pome fruit, stone fruit, and tropical notes, which may blend with caramelized hints in certain varieties. As the wines age or are barrel-fermented, they gain spicy, balsamic, mineral, and woody scents. The flavor of these wines is fresh and slightly acidic, creamy, and often carries a subtle bitter trace, with a generally light body and medium persistence.

Rosé Wines (Vinos Rosados)

The rosé wines from Madrid range in color from pink with strawberry or raspberry hues to salmon pink, sometimes exhibiting orange tones if they are older than two years or have been subjected to aging. Their aroma is characteristically frank, dominated by a fruity profile of red fruit and complemented by floral and vegetal characteristics. Over time, these aromas may blend with spiced notes corresponding to their age. The flavor profile is fresh, slightly acidic, with a creamy texture, a light tannic touch, and medium persistence.

Red Wines (Vinos Tintos)

Red wines from the region display colors ranging from violet to cherry in younger wines, evolving to ruby and tile hues as they age. The aroma is straightforward and fruity or vegetal in young wines, potentially enriched by woody scents when aged in oak barrels. With age, these wines develop complex aromas of dry fruits, spices, aromatic herbs, smoky, and mineral notes. Their flavor is warm, tannic, and persistent, fruity in younger wines, and subtly infused with hints of oak from fermentation or aging in barrels.

Sparkling Wines (Vinos Espumosos) of Madrid

Madrid’s sparkling wines are typically pale straw yellow to slightly golden, corresponding to their age, and feature fine, abundant, and persistent bubbles. Rosé variants are pink with strawberry or salmon coloring. Their aroma is predominantly fruity with microbiological nuances. The flavor is fresh, sharp, and somewhat creamy in rosés, and tends to be sweet in wines with a sugar content exceeding 10 g/l.

Vinos Sobremadre

Vinos Sobremadre, directly translated as “Mother Wines,” will be discussed further below. These wines are typically pale straw yellow or golden yellow in color. The aroma is mainly fruity and/or microbiological, due to yeast presence. On the palate, they are dry, fresh, slightly creamy, and lightly bitter, offering a unique taste experience.

Each wine type from the Madrid wine region represents a piece of the area’s diverse viticultural heritage, showcasing the unique sensory properties influenced by local grape varieties, climate, and soil conditions, as well as specific winemaking practices.

Winemaking and Viticulture Practices

Here are some of the winemaking and viticulture practices and techniques that are used by winemakers and growers in the Madrid wine region:

Traditional Sparkling Wine Production

In the Madrid wine region, sparkling wines are crafted exclusively from selected grape varieties such as Malvar, Albillo, Torrontés, Viura, Parellada, Garnacha Tinta, and Tinto Fino. Employing the traditional method, these wines undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle, which includes a mandatory aging period “on the lees” for no less than nine months. The intricate production process involves several steps: tirage, where the base wine and tirage liquor are bottled together; riddling (remuage), a technique used to gather sediment at the bottle’s neck; and disgorging (degüelle), the removal of this sediment to ensure clarity and quality.

Unique Characteristics of Sobremadre Wines

Sobremadre wines (white or red), an offering from the Madrid wine region, are notable for their fermentation process which includes at least 25% of crushed grape skins (madres). These skins are kept in contact with the wine for a period ranging from 90 to 180 days. A significant feature of Sobremadre wines is their natural carbonation, achieved without the addition of exogenous carbon dioxide, strictly adhering to traditional methods that enhance the wine’s natural flavors and effervescence.

The Role of Barrel Aging in Enhancing Wine Flavors

Aging or fermenting in oak barrels allows the wine to develop a richer complexity of flavors, including spicy, balsamic, mineral, and woody notes. These characteristics can complement the primary fruity flavors.

Viticulture in the Madrid Wine Region

Viticulture in the Madrid wine region is a blend of geographical diversity and historical practices. This region is home to an extensive network of vineyards, cultivated by a dedicated community of viticulturists.

Training and Pruning Systems:

• Vaso System: Predominantly used in less mechanized areas of the region, this traditional bush vine system involves training vines into a goblet shape without trellising wires. It effectively manages vine vigor and maximizes sun exposure, which is crucial for optimal grape maturation.
• Espaldera System (Trellis System): Vines are trained along wires to form a flat plane, facilitating mechanical harvesting and ensuring controlled sun exposure. This system enhances fruit ripening and accessibility, making it ideal for modern viticulture.

Wine Classification and Labelling

The Madrid wine region adheres to strict classification and labeling guidelines to maintain the integrity and quality of its wines. Here’s what you need to know when examining a wine label from this celebrated region.

Denomination of Origin (DO) Labels

Every bottle from the Madrid wine region must clearly display the protected designation “Vinos de Madrid.” This indicates compliance with the standards and geographic specifications set forth by the regulatory body, ensuring the wine’s authenticity.

Subzone Identification

Labels may also specify the subzone – such as Arganda, Navalcarnero, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, or El Molar – where the grapes were grown. This detail helps to trace the wine back to its specific origin within the Madrid region, offering insights into the unique environmental influences on the wine.

Grape Varieties and Quality Seals

It’s common to list the grape varieties used, such as Tempranillo or Garnacha, which are key to understanding the flavor profile of the wine. Additionally, wines must carry quality seals or back labels with control numbers from the regulatory council, ensuring traceability and authenticity.

Alcohol Content and Analytical Characteristics

Labels often include the alcohol by volume (ABV) and may detail other analytical characteristics like acidity or sugar content, depending on the wine style. This information can provide clues about the wine’s body and taste.

By familiarizing yourself with these elements, you can make informed choices and enhance your experience of the wines from the Madrid wine region, each label offering a story of its origin, craftsmanship, and heritage.

Grape Varieties

The Madrid wine region boasts a diverse array of grape varieties, categorized into white and red grapes, each approved under the Denomination of Origin “Vinos de Madrid.”

White Grape Varieties in the Madrid Wine Region

Principal Varieties:

1. Malvar (Subzones: Arganda, Navalcarnero, El Molar)
   • Malvar grapes are noted for their medium-low alcohol content and acidity, making them ideal for traditional “sobremadre” methods. They produce large, loose, and cylindrical clusters, sometimes with shoulders, perfectly suited to the region’s diverse climates.
2. Albillo Real (Subzone: San Martín)
   • Albillo Real is characterized by its low productivity and small, usually globular clusters. The berries, which turn golden yellow upon maturing, are harvested in mid-August, making it the earliest white variety picked in the region. It is renowned for producing wines with high alcohol content and medium-low acidity, offering a highly distinctive profile.

Additional Authorized Varieties:

• The Madrid wine region also authorizes additional varieties such as Airén, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Torrontés (Alarije), Macabeo (Viura**)**, Parellada, and Sauvignon Blanc, enriching the diversity of the region’s white wines.

Red Grape Varieties in the Madrid Wine Region

Principal Varieties:

1. Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) (Subzone: Arganda)
   • Tinto Fino is recognized for its medium production levels, cylindrical bunches with shoulders, and medium-sized spherical berries. It ripens mid-season with an early veraison in late July. This variety is especially suited for aged wines, thanks to its stable colorant matter.
2. Garnacha Tinta (Subzones: Navalcarnero, El Molar, San Martín de Valdeiglesias)
   • Garnacha Tinta is known for its productivity and medium-sized, compact clusters. It often experiences “corrimiento” or poor fruit set, leading to loose clusters and reduced yields. It is typically one of the last varieties to be harvested, producing wines with high alcohol content and good acidity.

Additional Authorized Varieties:

• Other authorized red varieties include Negral (Garnacha Tintorera), Graciano, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, each adding to the rich tapestry of the Madrid wine region’s offerings.

Each grape variety brings its unique characteristics to the wines of the Madrid wine region, showcasing the diversity and quality that this area is known for.

The Zub-Zones of Vinos de Madrid Wine Region

The Denominación de Origen “Vinos de Madrid” encompasses four distinct sub-zones, each offering unique geographical and climatic conditions that contribute to the diverse wine profiles characteristic of the region. Here’s a closer look at these areas.

Arganda Sub-Zone: The Heart of Madrid’s Viticulture

The Arganda sub-zone, situated in the southeast of Madrid, is marked by its sedimentary formations with a high limestone content, resulting in basic pH soils that are primarily clayey-loam in texture. The vineyards, benefiting from the terraces and plains of the Tajuña, Jarama, and Tagus rivers, cover 30 municipalities and include 28 wineries, making up about 60% of the region’s annual production. The abundant water sources enhance the natural beauty and biodiversity, creating favorable conditions for viticulture.

Navalcarnero Sub-Zone: A Unique Microclimate

Located in the southwest of Madrid, the Navalcarnero sub-zone features siliceous sedimentary soils with sandy-loam textures, ranging from acidic to neutral pH. With its vineyards nestled in plains and valleys shaped by the Guadarrama River, this area, though the smallest in terms of vineyard area, houses 5 wineries and produces 22.5% of the output. The interplay between the rivers Guadarrama and Perales cultivates a distinctive microclimate that significantly influences the local grape varieties and wine profiles.

San Martín de Valdeiglesias Sub-Zone: A Blend of Tradition and Ecology

The San Martín de Valdeiglesias sub-zone is located in the west, near the Sierra de Gredos. Its soil comprises granite and gneiss from the Central System, resulting in acid to neutral pH levels without carbonates. This sub-zone, which includes vineyards on slopes and foothills, benefits from the cooler climate of the Sierra, suitable for growing a diverse array of grapes. Covering 9 municipalities with 18 wineries, this area contributes 25% to the total production and is noted for its valuable architectural landmarks and diverse ecological landscape.

El Molar Sub-Zone: Deep-Rooted Wine Traditions

El Molar, in the northern part of the region, showcases a diverse geological makeup with granites, quartzites, and shales. The vineyards, which vary in pH from very acidic to very basic, are strategically located in plains and along the river valleys of the Jarama. This sub-zone is historically rich with medieval viticulture evidence and includes areas like Colmenar Viejo and San Agustín de Guadalix. With 600 hectares of vineyards managed by over 300 viticulturists, El Molar reflects a deep-rooted tradition that continues to influence contemporary winemaking practices.

Each of these sub-zones plays a critical role in shaping the distinctive qualities of the wines from the Madrid wine region, underlining the area’s rich viticultural diversity.

Geography and Climate

The Madrid wine region features a range of altitudes and geological elements that profoundly impact its viticulture. Vineyards are perched at altitudes between 480 and 1,000 meters above sea level, providing a spectrum of microclimates suited for different wine styles.

Altitude and Temperature Variations in the Madrid Wine Region

In lower altitude areas such as the plains and river valleys, warmer temperatures prevail, accelerating grape ripening – essential for developing the sugars necessary for higher alcohol wines. Conversely, vineyards at higher altitudes, often close to or within the mountains, benefit from cooler temperatures. This cooler climate is key to maintaining grape acidity, which enhances the freshness and longevity of the wines.

Climate: A Defining Factor for Madrid’s Vineyards

The Madrid region experiences a continental Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters, coupled with moderate to low rainfall. Such conditions concentrate the flavors and aromas in grapes, as vines undergo stress due to significant diurnal temperature variations, particularly in the higher altitudes. This climatic factor is crucial for developing the robust, flavorful profiles found in local wines.

Rainfall Distribution and Its Effects

Rainfall distribution varies significantly across the sub-zones. For instance, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and El Molar, situated near the Sierra, receive approximately 658 mm of rainfall annually, fostering lush vine growth. In contrast, the Arganda sub-zone is comparatively drier, with around 461 mm of rain each year, impacting both vine development and grape maturation.

Microclimate Impact on Wine Diversity

The diverse altitudes, influenced by the Sistema Central mountains and local river systems, create varied microclimates across the subzones, each contributing uniquely to the grape maturity and distinctive wine characteristics. The specific soil compositions and climatic conditions in each subzone play an essential role in defining the unique attributes of wines under the “Vinos de Madrid” Denominación de Origen.

This rich tapestry of geographical and climatic elements allows the Madrid wine region to offer a wide array of wine styles, each expressing a unique aspect of the local terroir.

Sources

1. Madrid Wine Region. Official website of the Denomination of Origin Vinos de Madrid, providing detailed information about the region’s distinct wine varieties, viticultural practices, and compliance with quality standards. Accessed May, 2024. https://vinosdemadrid.es/.
2. Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Official government portal offering comprehensive insights into agricultural policies, regional agricultural data, and viticulture regulations in Spain. Accessed May, 2024. https://www.mapa.gob.es/en/.