Cigales (wine)

Cigales is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located in the province of Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is known particularly for its rosé wines, locally called clarete, which are produced using a minimum of 50% red grape varieties. While red wines are also produced, the DO has historically been most recognized for its rosés.

The vineyards are located on the high plains of the northern meseta, at altitudes between 700 and 800 meters above sea level. The climate is continental, characterized by long, cold winters and short, hot summers. This results in significant temperature variations between day and night, which contributes to the acidity and aromatic complexity of the grapes.

The primary grape variety grown in Cigales is Tempranillo, locally known as Tinto del País. Other authorized red grape varieties include Garnacha Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. The authorized white grape variety is Verdejo.

The traditional winemaking process for clarete often involves co-fermentation of red and white grapes. The wines are typically aged for a relatively short period before release, focusing on retaining the fresh fruit characteristics.