RIBERA DEL DUERO

While Ribera del Duero has a long history producing wine, until recently it was relatively unknown and had far fewer notable producers than Rioja. In recent years that has changed. Ribera del Duero is located on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula at an altitude of around 800 metres on either side of the Duero River. The Duero flows westwards through Rueda and Toro and into Portugal to become the Douro. The climate in Ribera del Duero is continental; hot, dry summers with daytime temperatures up to 40°C are contrasted with winter temperatures dropping to -18°C. Even in summer, temperatures at night drop dramatically, conducive to the development of flavour and phenolics. Seasons can also change suddenly, with early winter frosts sometimes hitting during harvest and late spring frosts threatening budding vines. The wines are Tempranillo based, with the DOC requiring a minimum of 75%. The more extreme climate of Ribera del Duero produces intense, concentrated wines generally firmer and more savoury than those of Rioja. Ribera del Duero DOC regulations also allow for a hierarchy of styles based on time matured in oak.