In the rolling heartland of Spain, amidst the dust and the sun, where the earth breathes a rugged rhythm, lies the Denominación de Origen Vinos de Madrid. It’s a place where the vines twist and turn like the winding roads of a timeless journey, and the wines tell stories as old as time but as fresh as the morning dew.
A New Dawn for Madrid's Wines:
Once upon a time, these wines were crafted and sold in bulk as "vino a granel," flowing out in great quantities from the concrete vats and measured by the arroba, an age-old Spanish unit of capacity of 16l. These were wines for the people, raw and unfiltered, a companion to laughter and hard times alike, but rarely assoicated with the quality being produced in Rioja. But oh, how times have changed. Today, the DO Vinos de Madrid stands tall, a testament to quality and tradition, a renaissance of flavours and finesse. A DO destined to contend with the household names of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
The Four Sub-Zones:
A Quartet of Terroir. Madrid’s wine appellation is a symphony in four parts, each sub-zone a unique melody in the grand composition:
Arganda: The Old Soul
Arganda is the old soul of DO Vinos de Madrid, a place where history and tradition blend seamlessly with the art of winemaking. The vineyards here stretch out like an ancient tapestry, weaving tales of generations past. The soil is a rich mix of clay and limestone, a foundation that gives the wines their distinctive character. Tempranillo reigns supreme in Arganda, producing robust reds that are as bold and complex as the landscape they come from.
Picture yourself in a rustic bodega, the air thick with the scent of aging wine. You take a sip, and it’s like tasting the essence of Arganda itself—ripe blackberries, a hint of spice, and a whisper of the earth. It’s a place where every bottle is a story, every glass a journey.
Try Licinia for premium wines, Bodega del Nero to walk among wines being made in tinajas, Val Azul for Tuscan vibes or Andrés Morate, if ecological wines are more your thing.
Navalcarnero: The Hidden Gem
Navalcarnero, the hidden gem of DO Vinos de Madrid. This sub-zone is a little off the beaten path, a place where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the vineyards and the charm of the village. The soil here is sandy and loose, perfect for growing the region’s signature Malvar grapes. The wines of Navalcarnero are elegant and refined, with a delicate balance of fruit and acidity that makes them perfect for any occasion.
Imagine a lazy afternoon in Navalcarnero, the sun casting a golden glow over the vineyards. You’re sipping a glass of crisp, aromatic white wine, the taste of green apples and citrus dancing on your tongue. It’s pure bliss, a moment of perfection in a place that feels like a well-kept secret.
Look for wines from
Bodega Andrés Diaz
for something spectacular.
San Martín de Valdeiglesias: The Wild Frontier
San Martín de Valdeiglesias, where the vineyards climb high and the nights whisper secrets to the vines. Here, the climate is a storyteller, with hot days that push the grapes to their limits and cool nights that pull them back, balancing the act like a tightrope walker on the edge of dawn.
The soils are a mix of granite and sand, a gritty foundation that lends the wines a minerality as sharp and clear as a jazz riff in a smoky bar. The Garnacha here is something to behold, bold and fruity, with a backbone of spice and a soul of the earth. And then there’s the Albillo Real, a white wine that surprises and delights, with a fullness and complexity that sings of ancient vines and new horizons.
Wines being produced by
Las Moradas, Bernabeleva, Ca’ di Mat, Comando G, Cuatro Monos, and Tierra Calma
are our first points of reference for diving into the San Martín sub-zone, a group of wineries that exist in the Sierra de Gredos mountain range and produce wines that stand up to best of them.
For visits, look to
Las Moradas, Bernabeleva, Tierra Calma
and ValleYglesias
to appreciate exactly how beautiful this region is.
El Molar: The Maverick Spirit
Next, we roll into El Molar, the maverick of the DO Vinos de Madrid sub-zones. This is where tradition meets innovation, where winemakers aren’t afraid to push the boundaries and create something extraordinary. The vineyards here are perched on high, rocky terrain, basking in the sun and breathing in the cool, fresh air of the mountains. The result? Wines that are fresh, vibrant, and full of life.
Garnacha and Albillo are the stars in El Molar, producing wines that are as wild and free-spirited as the winemakers themselves. You take a sip, and it’s like a burst of energy—a riot of red fruit, floral notes, and a crisp, refreshing finish. El Molar is all about breaking the rules and making something beautiful in the process.
Our recommendation is to look to
Tinta Castiza.
A Journey's End:
The Whole Appellation of the DO Vinos de Madrid is a journey through time and taste, a road trip of the senses. Each sub-zone offers a different vista, a new adventure in every bottle. From the robust reds of Arganda to the playful Garnachas of Navalcarnero, from the pioneering spirit of El Molar to the rugged beauty of San Martín de Valdeiglesias, there’s a story in every sip.
And if you’re ready to hit the road and explore these vinous landscapes, let Vine Travel - www.vine-travel.com - be your guide. They’re the beat generation of wine tourism, dedicated to sharing the hidden gems of Spain’s wineries with travellers who seek more than just a drink – they seek an experience, a journey, a story.
So pack your bags, open your mind, and let the wines of Madrid take you on a ride you’ll never forget. The road is open, the wines are waiting, and the adventure is yours to discover.
Got the itch to explore? Drop me a line to book a custom tour, or check out the options on the tour page. Either way, the wines are waiting.