D.O. Ribera del Duero

The DO area in the northern Spanish region of Castilla y León extends along the Duero River (which subsequently crosses the Portuguese border and is called Douro there) for a length of over one hundred kilometres. Characteristic of the area are the different types of soil due to its size, which also results in a variety of wine styles and qualities. The vineyards cover 18,600 hectares of vineyards, mostly in the highlands between 750 and 850 metres above sea level. The climate is characterised by very hot temperatures during the day up to 40 °C and a drop to 15 °C at night. These strong temperature fluctuations and the nightly resting phase have a very positive effect on the nutrient absorption and acidity of the grapes

The red wine varieties Tinta del País(Tempranillo), Garnacha Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec(Cot), as well as the white wine variety Albillo de Nava(Verdejo) are permitted. The best red wines are in no way inferior to good Riojas in quality, even if they taste completely different. They are mainly made from Tinta del País (zum. 75%) and are mostly aged in small oak barrels. The rosé wines are mostly made from Garnacha Tinta, while the white wines not approved as DO are made from Albillo. West of Ribera del Duero are the DO areas of Cigales, Rueda and Toro. Well known producers in the Ribera del Duero area are Alejandro Fernández, Alión (Vega Sicilia), 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