Capital of Spain with almost three million inhabitants in the region of the same name in the centre of Spain within the Castilla-La Mancha region. However, Madrid only became the capital in 1562 when King Philip II (1527-1598) moved his court there. The city is the centre of Spain and the seat of the Spanish government. The king, a Catholic archbishop and important administrative and military authorities also reside here. The region is divided into three subzones: San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Navalcarnero and Arganda.
Relatively late in 1914 (30 years later than in France and northern Spain), the region was devastatingly affected by phylloxera, destroying a large part of the 60,000 hectares of vines. This forced the winegrowers to replant suitable grape varieties and raised the quality standard. The vineyards cover around 11,500 hectares of vines. The main white wine varieties grown are Airén, Malvar (Lairén), Albillo Mayor, Parellada, Macabeo and Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc), as well as the red wine varieties Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Vinos de Madrid is the only DO area in a semi-circle around the city.
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen