Spanish Wine Regions > Ribera del Duero
Very good reds across de board, in fact it is very rare to come across a wine from this area which is not up to scratch. These wines are fat, wholesome, and rich in colour, full bodied and very satisfying and have a superb aftertaste. They go best with game, red meats, especially with roast, stews and very mature cheeses. Perhaps not the cheapest of wines but certainly money well spent.
Wine region's location
This D.O is situated in Castile, in the centre of Spain astride the provinces of Burgos, Valladolid, Segovia and Soria and along the banks of the river Duero. It has a continental climate but with some influences from the Atlantic. Winters are rather cold and summers very hot. The big differences in temperature between day and night help the slow maturing of the grape, producing wines of excellent acidity levels. This is one of the better known D.O.’s in Spain and in the past years its wines have gained a very well deserved reputation both in Spain and around the world.
Wine characteristics
Rose Wines
Ribera del Duero rose wines have a dark pink colour. They
are fruity in taste but can be considered quite heavy.
Red Wines
Without a doubt, the star product of this wine region. Produced
fundamentally with Tinta del Pais, they have an intense dark
red cherry colour with aromas of very ripe fruits that give
the wine tremendous character and intensity. After aging in
barrel, they develop into very elegant wines. In fact, their
solid tannin and good structure make these wines excellent
aging material both in barrel or bottle. To the palate this
wine has lots of body and an excellent balance between acidity
and alcohol.
Grapes
White GrapesAlbillo
Red Grapes
Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)
Red Grenache
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Merlot
Facts & Figures
Area: 18,600 ha
Average yearly temperature:
14 Celsius
Average yearly water fall:
450 - 550 mm
