D.O. Ribera del Duero

DO area for red wines, rosé wines and, since 2019, also white wines in the Castile-León region of northern Spain. This extends along the Duero River (which subsequently crosses the Portuguese border where it is called Douro) for a length of 115 kilometres and a maximum width of 35 kilometres. The economic centre of the region is the town of Aranda de Duero in the province of Burgos. To the west of Ribera del Duero are the DO areas of Cigales, Rueda and Toro. Éthere is a very old viticultural history. In 1972, near the village of Baños de Valdearados, a Roman mosaic almost 2,000 years old was discovered, representing the deity Bacchus with Ariadne and Ampelos on an area of 66 m². By the end of the 19th century, the area under vines had grown to around 50,000 hectares. Phylloxera, mildew and the agricultural policies of General Francisco Franco (1892-1975) led to a crisis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Vineyards, climate and soil

Thanks to the achievements or quality viticulture by the Vega Sicilia winery, the area was granted DO status in 1982. Today, the vineyards cover around 21,000 hectares of vines, cultivated by over 8,000 winegrowers. They are located in the four provinces of Burgos, Soria, Segovia and Valladolid, mostly in the highlands between 750 and 850 metres above sea level. The climate is a mixture of continental and Mediterranean influences with very hot temperatures of up to 40 °C during the day and a drop to 15 °C at night. These strong temperature fluctuations or the nightly rest period have a very positive effect on the nutrient absorption and the acidity of the grapes. Characteristic for the area are the different soil types due to its size, which also results in a variety of wine styles and qualities. Outside the sites along the river, the soils are sandy and lie on layers of limestone.

Grape varieties and wines

For the red wines and rosés, the main variety Tinta del País/Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Malbec (Cot), Monastrell and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Henri Bouschet) are permitted. The red wines must have at least 11.5%, the rosé wines at least 11% alcohol by volume. The red wines are available in the quality levels Joven and Joven Roble, as well as Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva with longer maturation periods. The best red wines are in no way inferior in quality to good Riojas, even if they taste completely different. They are mainly matured in barriques

For white wines, the main variety Albillo Mayor is permitted, as well as Pirulés (Alarije), Pirulé (Cayetana Blanca), Valenciana (Bobal) and Chasselas Doré(Chasselas). They must have at least 11% alcohol by volume.

Producers

Well-known producers are Alejandro Fernández, Alto Sotillo, Arrocal, Arzuaga Navarro, Balbás, Briego, Condado de Haza, Dehesa de los Canónigos, Dominio de Atauta, Dominio de Pingus, Ébano, Emilio Moro, Emina, Finca Villacreces, Imperiales, Ismael Arroyo, Matarromera, Monasterio, Monteabellón, Pago de los Capellanes, Peñalba López, Pérez Pascuas, Telmo Rodríguez, Santa Eulalia, Valdubón, Valtravieso, Vega Sicilia, Veredes - Fercyser, Viña Mayor, Viña Pedrosa and Winner Wines.

Picture left: By Rowanwindwhistler - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Image right: By Litox - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link