Wines from the Almansa Designation of Origin are becoming increasingly fashionable. Their growth is absolute. Its president, Adolfo Cano, talks to us, among other things, about future projects, the 2024 campaign and wine tourism.
Tell us how the DO Almansa campaign is going
The campaign is developing normally, although the harvest date has been brought forward due to the high temperatures this summer.
The quality of all the grapes is excellent, as we have had no disease problems this season, and in terms of quantity, it is around 20 to 30% higher than in the 2023 season, where we had a 50% reduction compared to the 2022 season.
To date, we have harvested our white varieties and the harvest in the D.O. Almansa is already starting with the rest of the red varietals and the harvest of our main variety, our Garnacha Tintorera, to finish with the Monastrell (which is the latest) to reach the optimum ripening point. With all this, the red grapes arrive in a magnificent state of health, in their optimum state of ripeness.
How has the harvest of the white grape varieties in DO Almansa been?
In the areas where the Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc grapes have been harvested, we have seen that they are in an exceptional state of health, so we foresee that the white wines of this 2024 vintage will be a great success in the market. In addition, the white grape load has been better than during the 2023 vintage.
What is expected from red grapes?
The red grapes are in a magnificent state of health, with many parts of our production area already beginning to harvest our queen variety: the Garnacha tintorera. We are sure that, the way the grapes are at the moment, the red wines of this vintage of DO Almansa are going to be of the highest quality.
What would you highlight most about 2024?
In 2024, despite the high inflation we are suffering, our wineries are holding their own against the pull of exports to Europe and other countries. It should also be noted that our wineries continue to climb up the national rankings in terms of sales and value of our wines.
What projects are planned for 2025?
For this coming 2025, the D.O. Almansa is preparing an extensive calendar of events and fairs at a national level, we will be present in February at the Barcelona Wine Week. Also in May we will be at Fenavin, Ciudad Real, and several European countries such as Germany, France or Switzerland among others, as well as an action outside Europe that we will be describing in the coming months.
On the other hand, how is the wine route developing in general terms?
I believe that it is developing and growing progressively, as it has to be a work and a commitment on the part of all the partners that make it up. It is a fundamental thread to channel all the tourism of our municipalities, heritage, nature, gastronomy and, of course, our wines. More and more people are coming to our villages to enjoy them and their surroundings and we have the responsibility to jump on the wine tourism bandwagon and to commit to it.
