Ribera del Duero was, for many years, a relatively quiet wine producing region in the North of Spain- until the 1980´s. Suddenly, the world recognised what a fantastic wine region Ribera del Duero is, and turned its long deserved attention to this corner of the globe.

With the perfect blend of climate and geography to become a grand wine producing region- its proximity to the river, infrequent showers and right altitude- Ribera del Duero always had the right conditions from the start. Soon settlers came, founding small towns and, as time went on, wine-producing monasteries. As in other areas of Europe, the monks played a huge role in the diffusion of local wine and keeping wine making traditions alive. The nearby Courts of Valladolid, once the political capital of Spain, didn´t slow down wine production either; the Courts always needed more wine. Nowadays, Ribera del Duero has the title of being one of the most renowned wine regions in Spain, and it is not hard to see why.

5 quick-fire top reasons to visit Ribera del Duero

1. The Wine

Beautiful deep red wines from scenic wineries, often considered some of the best wines from Spain.

2. The Caves

The ´Zarceras´, as they are called in Spanish, are underground caves that were once used to store wine

3. The Castles

Ribera del Duero has many medieval castles that are still standing today, ready to explore

4. The Lamb

´Lechazo´ is the most traditional dish of Ribera del Duero and consists of roast suckling lamb

5. Proximity to Madrid

The perfect day trip from Madrid

All about the wines of Ribera del Duero

The grape of choice in Ribera del Duero is the Tempranillo, or as it is most commonly known in the area, Tinto Fino or Tinto del País. This is the most commonly grown grape in Ribera del Duero, and can be blended with a small selection of other authorised varieties, such as Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Garnacha Tinta, with el Albillo being the only white grape allowed. With the overwhelming majority of grapes produced here being red, this can only mean one thing- that Ribera del Duero is famous, undeniably, for its red wines.

The red wines in question are deep, complex and elegant. Many people travel to the rural plains of this region to taste these wines in the wineries themselves, as well as to see where the grapes are grown and the wines are elaborated. This region, for many people, is the birthplace of their favourite wines, and the place to discover many of their favourites to come.

If you are thinking of heading to Ribera del Duero to do some wine tasting, you might want to know some more about the types of wine that Ribera del Duero offers and how each one tastes, smells and looks. When you get to your wine tasting at local winery you can listen out for the names, or even try to work it out yourself:

Tinto Joven

The Tinto Joven is a young wine, not stored in wood or aged in a barrel for more than 12 months. The wine is cherry red with touches of violet, indigo and blue (which are signs of its youth) and is fruity and dense to smell. To taste, the Tinto Joven is full in the mouth.

Tinto Crianza

Tinto Crianza wines have spent a minimum of 12 months in an oak barrel. The wine is very deep intense cherry red, this time with only fine lines of violet (that show it has aged a little more than the Tinto Joven). The wine is fruity to smell, with aromas of wood, toast, vanilla, cloves and spices blended in from the oak barrel. To taste, the Tinto Crianza is well balanced, rounded and flavourful.

Tinto Reserva

The Tinto Reserva spends 36 months in barrel and bottle (minimum of 12 months in a barrel). It has varied tones of cherry and ruby red to look at (this time even more red tones visible from its age), and has a sugary over-ripe fruit base to smell, plus aromas of leather, minerals and balsams. To taste, the Tinto Reserva has prolonged nasal aromas from the ageing process, and is full-bodied, well-balanced and powerful.

Tinto Gran Reserva

This wine has spent the longest ageing, with 60 months in barrel and bottle (minimum 24 months in a barrel). The Gran Reserva has a larger range of red tones than the other wines and there may be a fine layer of russet tones also visible. To smell, the Tinto Gran Reserva has multiple aromas over its fruity base, such as spices, toast and noble woods, that have been acquired from its ageing process. To taste, you will notice that this wine has a firm structure and is both well balanced, harmonised and elegant.

Rosé

Although Ribera del Duero is most famous for its red wines, it does also produce a rosé. Fermented without grape skins, the Ribera del Duero Rosé is a strawberry rose colour, clean and bright. This young, fresh wine smells of berries, and is fruity and round to taste.

The best way to visit Ribera del Duero

Without a doubt, the best way to taste the wines of Ribera del Duero is to go on a guided wine tour.  During a wine tasting tour in Ribera del Duero, you will have the opportunity to visit the best and most interesting wineries, selected for you from the hundreds of registered wineries in the region, as well as be guided by a special wine expert. The benefit of having a wine guide, as opposed to going on your own, is the personalised attention that you will receive for your particular wine level. This is something that can really help you make the most out of your trip, as you discover new wine knowledge at the edge of your current level and expand your circle of understanding and appreciation. Returning home with new wine experiences can change the whole way you taste wine, as well as resulting in, more than now and again, bringing home a newly cherished bottle of wine.

If you would like to know more about the Ribera del Duero the wine region and its wines, you can have a look at the official D.O. (Designation of Origin) page: http://riberadelduero.es/en.