Ribera del Duero
Extreme continental
A high plateau along the Duero river, where Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) makes powerful, dark, structured reds.
Overview
About Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero was granted DO status in 1982, though winemaking here is far older; Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 and its Único made the region's reputation long before the DO existed. Mainly in the province of Burgos, the region also takes in parts of Valladolid, Segovia and Soria, and Tempranillo — locally Tinto Fino — must make up at least 75% of a red wine.
The high altitude means summers are hot but nights are cold, giving dark, concentrated wines with fresh acidity and firm tannins. Reds are typically labelled Joven, Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva.
Ribera del Duero is marked on the map.
Spain
Shaded: Burgos, Valladolid, Segovia, Soria. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Extreme continental
Very cold winters, hot summers and a wide day-night temperature range at an altitude of roughly 700 to 1,000 metres. Spring frosts are a hazard, and fruit-set and ripening are highly dependent on the year.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Clay-limestone soils on the plateau, with sandy and gravelly alluvial terraces along the Duero. Vines are low-vigour and grown on poor soils, with many old bush vines.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Ribera del Duero is a DO with Tempranillo at its centre and the same ageing ladder as the rest of Spain.
Gran Reserva
At least five years' ageing, two of them in oak.
Reserva
At least three years, with a year in oak.
Crianza
At least two years, with a year in oak.
Joven
Young wine with little or no oak ageing. Tempranillo must be at least 75% of a red.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.