Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/80298
Writer and wine expert Karen MacNeil (left, middle in green dress) led seminars for the Castilla–La Mancha U.S. Tour. the U.S.," says Angel Prieto, Director of the Foreign Trade Institute of Castilla–La Mancha, which organized the U.S. program. "The U.S. trade discovered the quality and diversity of our wines, and we were happy to share our history and tradition through these tastings." Each event began with a seminar conducted by Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible. MacNeil shared the winemaking history of the region of Castilla–La Mancha, the technical qualities of its wines, and the sales opportunity for these wines in the U.S. market with the trade and press. Each seminar was followed by an afternoon walk-around tasting enhanced by regional foods and live entertainment. Spanish delicacies. The participating wineries included Bodegas Alcardet, Bodegas del Saz, Bodegas Villavid, Viña Cerrón, Aurum Red, Vinícola de Castilla, Bodegas Centro Españolas, Manuel Manzaneque, Castillo de Consuegra, Finca Los Alijares, Dominio de Baco, Bodegas Soledad, Bodegas Vitivinos, Vinos & Bodegas, Bodegas la Tercia, Encomienda de Cervera, Bodegas Finca La Estacada, Cooperativa Virgen de las Nieves, Bodegas Romero de Ávila and Vinícola de Tomelloso, among others. The Denominations of Castilla–La Mancha In Castilla–La Mancha there are nine D.O.s (Denominations of Origin): Almansa, La Mancha, Manchuela, Méntrida, Mondéjar, Ribera del Júcar, Uclés, Valdepeñas and Jumilla (part of which is located in the region of Murcia). Besides the D.O.s, there are eight Vinos de Pago (Single Estate Wines): Dehesa del Carrizal, Dominio de Valdepusa, Finca Élez, Pago Calzadilla, Pago Guijoso, Pago Casa del Blanco, Pago Florentino and Pago Campo de la Guardia. Vino de Pago is the Spain's highest established category for a wine, granted to high-reputation wines made from grapes grown under climatic and soil conditions distinctive to a certain "place" or "rural site." september 2012 / the tasting panel / 69