GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF ALCARRIA

Specific character of the area

It is defined by strong thermal oscillations, with summers very hot summers more than 35ºC and winters very cold , with frequent frosts, and little rain. The precipitations are distributed throughout the spring and autumn.

The average annual temperature is around 13ºC , which implies an average for the coldest month of 3ºC and a temperature of 21ºC for the warmest month.

The defining characteristic of soils is the very high concentration of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), apart from the low presence of organic matter, the quite steep slopes and, therefore, the low stability of the soil.

From the point of view of agriculture they are very poor soils.

The altitude of the municipalities reaches heights between 700 and 900 meters.

Specific nature of the product

The Aceite de La Alcarria has the following characteristics:

• Oil compensated and stable due to the relationship between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids.
• High content of oleic acid.
• The predominant color is green lemon , more or less intense, depending on the time of harvest and the degree of ripeness of the olive. The proportion between the content of carotenes and chlorophyll define the characteristic tonality of the oils of this Denomination of Origin.
• From the organoleptic point of view, the oils of this Castilian variety (verdeja) are fruity and aromatic , resounding in their leafy smell, in which grass flavors are intermingled, hazelnut or banana, sometimes with spicy flavor in the mouth.

Relationship between the geographical area and characteristics of the product

The edaphoclimatic conditions of the area, have made much of the natural selection for this region, the only in which the product is present virgin olive oil, monovarietal variety, Castilian or verdeja .

Climatologically it perfectly tolerates frosts of up to -5ºC, without generating excessive increase in the peroxide index.

From the point of view of the link of the geological and pedological characteristics, it is noteworthy how the formation of sloping soils, few deep, alkaline and saline have marked again their imprint in a crop, which is subject to continuous stress, aspects that again They have served as a means of natural selection, causing the presence of low productions and product differentiation .

The Castellana variety, together with the edaphoclimatic conditions of the area, give the oil its particular physical-chemical and organoleptic characteristics mentioned.