A new Denominaci�n de Origen
On December 7, 2001 the regulatory council of the Denominaci�n de Origen Ribera del J�car was created provisionally.

On June 20, 2003 the Spanish government gazette published order APA/1634/2003 dated June 9, which ratified the order of January 27, 2003 from the Agriculture Ministry and the regional� government of La Mancha by which production norms were established for wines of the Denominaci�n de Origen Ribera del J�car.

Thus was born the ninth certificate of quality in this region of Spain. The other eight are Valdepe�as, La Mancha, Almansa, M�ntrida, Mond�jar, Jumilla, Manchuela and the D.O Vinos de Calidad Reconocida producida en pagos Determinados, which includes two wines, Dominio de Valdepusa and Finca �lez.

The wines of the D.O. Ribera del J�car have been classified as Quality Wines Produced in Determined Regions� -V.C.P.R.D, in Spanish.- and the regulatory council has created the first group of wine producers of the Denominaci�n de Origen of Castilla la Mancha.

The land registered as being used to make wine in the D.O. certificate is 9,141 hectares. Annual production is 7,500 hectolitres, and approximately one million bottles are marketed annually.

Land of la Mancha
The production area of the D.O. Ribera del J�car is in the south of Cuenca province and includes seven towns: Casas de Fernando Alonso, Casas de Haro, Casas de Guijarro, Casas de Ben�tez, Sisante, Pozoamargo and El Picazo.

The main feature of the region is its flatness. It is formed by a plain with a few hillocks. Flowing through it is the Jucar river, which over time formed a canyon that breaks up the monotony of the terrain.

The land on which the grapes grow is calcareous clay, covered with boulders on a plateau with an average altitude of 750 meters. This along with the microclimate of the J�car river basin make for excellent conditions for producing wine.

The climate is Mediterranean in spring and summer. In hot weather the days are mild and the nights cool. Autumn and winter are also mild, with precipitation that is average to heavy. The average temperature is 13.9� C. The average in summer is 24� and in winter, 5.1� C.

Varietals
The grapes used to make wine are all red: Cencibel or Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Bobal.

Kinds of wine
The Ribera del J�car certificate includes three kinds of wine:
- Young: with a fresh aroma and average intensity, fruity and full.
- Tradition: aged in casks of French or American oak, also has a fresh aroma and average intensity. Fruity and spicy.
- Vintage: With an intense, fresh aroma, average to high intensity and slightly fruity.