The Ribera del Duero DO (Denomination of Origin) Region – why is Ribera del Duero my favorite Wine Region?

Why must you visit this amazing region? How did Robert Parker (Wine Advocate Magazine) put this Wine Region on the map?

I am sure that after reading this article about Ribera del Duero, you will become a fan of their wines and your next vineyard route trip will be in Spain.

The ranking of Robert Parker in the wine industry is the equivalent of the Michelin stars in the restaurant industry. It was around the 2000’s when Parker fell in love with this Spanish Region that has all the qualities to make incredible and memorable wines.

Ribera del Duero is one of the most important wine regions in Spain. It extends over four provinces of Castilla and Leon: (Soria, Burgos, Valladolid, and Segovia). Ribera del Duero is isolated from any maritime influence by a ring of mountains. This geographical situation is characterized by short and dry warm summers with cold winters.

The Duero River begins in the mountains across the south of Rioja and flows across Spain all the way to Portugal. The river has an important influence on the microclimate.

The vineyards are located in the highest central plateau (850 meters of altitude). This generates cool temperatures at night all over the year, which influences the acidity and in the fresh fruit flavors of the grapes.

Of all the world’s grape varieties, few speak about a country as decidedly as Tempranillo. If we speak of red wines, I think Tempranillo is the flavor of Spain. This variety has 40 different names depending on the region where it was planted. For example, in Ribera del Duero, Spanish people can call it “Tinto Fino”, “Tinta del País”, or “Tinta del Toro”.

When you talk about Ribera del Duero DO (Denomination of origin) you always know the wine is made with 95% – 100% of Tempranillo. However, the denomination permits the use of at least 75% of Tempranillo and other varieties like Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

You can find in Ribera del Duero incredible contrasts like glamours wineries nearby ancient Spanish settlements that were built within the last 30 years. The singular modern tendency is the iconic Vega Sicilia Winery Founded in 1864. They forge the region and define its style to position their wines as one of the most expensive ones in the world.

In Burgos, Ribera del Duero, is where Norman Foster, one of the most famous architects, designed Portia Winery with a great architectural innovation. On another hand, in Valladolid, the famous Architect Richard Rogers designed the new extension of the winery of Protos: One of the oldest wineries in this region.

The Ribera Appellation dictates that age worthy wines from Crianza to Gran Reserva must be aged in wood. I will give you a tip to understand the labels: Crianza are wines which have two years with at least 12 months in oak. Reserva are wines which have three years with at least 12 months in oak. Gran Reserva are wines which have five years with at least 24 months in oak.

Tempranillo is a variety that has a range to create a lot of different styles. Perhaps this is what makes Tempranillo so relevant.

What you can find in general in the Ribera del Duero wines?

The Crianza wines:

• Balance: Between the ripeness of the fruit and its aging process in barrels.
• Bouquet: Ripe black fruits and soft rosemary and clove spices.
• Flavor: Intense, tasty, and very, very long-lasting.
• Persistence and balance and silky tannins.

The Reserva wines:

• Reserva has an intense color in which its bluish notes.
• Bouquets and Flavor of ripe black fruits, with clear mineral notes, spices, chocolate, full bodied velvety tannins.

The Gran Reserva:

• The bouquet offers a multitude of fruit sensations in perfect balance with soft caramel, bouquet offers a multitude of fruit sensations in perfect balance, full bodied and exquisite velvety tannins.

As a Sommelier I have had the opportunity to travel to different wine regions in Europe, Central America, South America. I have tasted a large number of wines, but Rivera del Duero will always have a special place in my heart.