As 50 years mark the creation of the Designation of Origin of Almansa, we look back at what happened before the year 1966 and that led us to become what we are today, as well as the process of adjustment we underwent when becoming a DO.
The convulsion that occurred in Spain’s history during the 19th century resulted in the need to adapt to new systems being implemented by the country’s industries. Furthermore, being a century full of changes and new technologies -which brought with them large industrial changes-, markets developed exponentially. In the wine sector, the liberal reforms that transpired throughout the century, resulted in an increase in grape growing, wine production and sales. Moreover, the confiscations of lands produced an increase in crop land for vineyards. The development of communications must be added to all this, especially the rail network, which occurred in the Peninsula in the 19th century allowing to reach new areas of economic development. The Almansa area became a railway enclave to have connection with the three exporting wine centres of the east: Alicante, Tarragona and Valencia.
An increase in demand and higher prices led to the development of new vineyards, proliferation of wineries and an increase in demand for labour in Almansa. The wine business expansion increased exponentially.
The wine sector became very attractive to investors, and thus achieving: the development of other activities related to the sector, as well as the modernisation of the process.
However, it wasn’t until the 60s when the expansion was consolidated. Between this decade and the 70s, the number of farms increased and, in 1966, what we know today as D.O. Almansa was created, which implemented new guidelines of production and cultivation, helping, from the union, to show the world wines from Almansa.
