La industria del vino y la viticultura en Castilla y León. Su incidencia en el paisaje y en el desarrollo rural

Abstract

ABSTRACT The wine industry and viticulture in Castilla y León has an economic, social and cultural significance with a long history. The production of grapes, and their subsequent transformation into wine, has gained increasing importance in the wine districts of this region. This thesis presents a historical reconstruction of this economic activity in the region of Castilla y León, Spain, in order to better understand its origin, evolution and distribution in this territory, from its beginnings to the use of of different quality indicators. Special attention is given to the use of the protected denominations of origin which has marked a turning point in this agricultural industry, particularly in the Ribera del Duero and Rueda regions, and has become one of the pillars of rural development in many wine producing villages. For this reason, the wine industry has become one of the economic engines of this region capable of diversifying the economic and business fabric of an area characterized by the heavy weight of the primary sector, with the expansion of traditional activities and the emergence of new ones, based on wine production and its related activities. Associated with the progress and improvements that have occurred in this activity, there has been a number of changes in the traditional landscape of the vine and wine, which have introduced new elements, while others have disappeared, leading, in some cases, to a coexistence of tradition and modernity. Key words: Castilla y León, wine industry, landscape, rural development, wine regions, denominations of origin.