Ribera del Duero

The Ribera is also known for its climate of extremes and where other grape varieties would have their difficulties, the most cultivated grape variety Tempranillo, also known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País, feels right at home. Due to the enormous heat during the day, the berries are small and have a thick skin - making the wine all the more concentrated and profound. Each sip is like a warm embrace. The cool nights in the region contribute to a balanced acidity in the grape, which later gives the wine finesse and elegance. It's easy to understand why the bottle is drunk up so quickly in convivial gatherings.

What you should know about Ribera del Duero:

Location

Located about 2 hours north of Madrid, Ribera del Duero is in the Castilla y León region - home to amazing red wines. The vineyards stretch along the stunning Duero River, which gives the region its name.

Vine varieties

The true star of the region is Tinto Fino, also known as Tinta del País, or as we know the grape variety, Tempranillo. Unlike Tempranillo, which is vinified in Rioja, Tinto Fino develops more structured and rustic wines due to the microclimate in Ribera.
French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha and Malbec are also grown in small quantities and are often used for blending. «Albillo Mayor» is the only white grape variety in the region and is usually made as a fresh aromatic summer wine.

Special features of the region

The Ribera is known for its extreme climate. The sun's rays often turn the days in this region into extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 40°C or more. However, the secret to the exceptional quality of the wines is found in the cool nights and the high vineyard elevations, which range from 720 to 1,000 meters above sea level.
During the night hours, when the Duero River brings its refreshing breeze, the grapes have the opportunity to perfect the acidity ratio, which later brings out the special elegance and freshness in the wine.

The grapes in Ribera del Duero, due to the harsh climate, develop a thick skin that protects them from the extreme conditions. And it is precisely this skin that hides the intense flavors that make this Spanish red wine something very special. Wines of impressive quality and character are created here.

An extreme climate, which for many grape varieties would be an aggravation, but for the Spanish star Tempranillo just right.

Greatness of the region

In the world of wine, the region is considered a newcomer. Only in the last 50 years has Ribera del Duero gained international recognition and become a true greatness.
Today, around 8,000 winegrowers cultivate a total of 26,123 hectares of vines. This is almost twice the size of Switzerland's total wine-growing area, which extends to 14,600 hectares. (By comparison, Spain has a total of about 1 million hectares of vines).

As a food companion

Discover the variety of Spanish red wines from Ribera del Duero, which can be easily combined with different dishes. The freshness and liveliness of Jóven and Crianza wines harmonize perfectly with cheese plates made of varieties such as Comté, creamy goat camembert or a juicy beef steak.
A fine Reserva rounds off classic feasts of braised roast or duck. The fresh fruit aromas from the wine complement ideally the strong spicy notes of various dark sauces.
For true moments of pleasure, we recommend the heavier red wines, such as Gran Reserva, which are ideal with game dishes, saffron potatoes, risotto or celery puree.