If you look at La Mancha from space, you see a lot of flat farmland and an unusual  number of windmills, but if you zoom out, you begin to notice several smears of white soil traced across the otherwise Martian-red landscape. In the middle of these streaks are rivers like the tiny Zancara, which hardly flows in the dry season but has gently worn away the landscape to expose a layer of limestone-rich soil, together with sand and alluvial deposits perfect for growing grape vines. Vina Jaraba was established here in 1997 and quickly earned Vino de Pago designation – essentially a winery specific appellation – in 2018. This Crianza is their flagship wine, made from 80% Tempranillo and 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Thanks to meticulous farming, the wine shows rare balance and tension for such a hot and dry climate. Aromas include dried strawberry, smoked meat (slathered with texas style barbecue sauce), leather and black pepper, with sandy soil notes below. On the palate, pepper and strawberry and black cherry and earth show with a hint of new oak baking spice and vanilla. For this wine, order up grilled meats, hearty stews, and spicy potato dishes.