View source for Ribera del Duero

'''Ribera del Duero''' is a [[Denominación de Origen (DO)]] for wine located in the northern plateau of [[Castile and León]], [[Spain]]. It is one of the country’s most prestigious [[wine regions]], renowned for red wines based predominantly on the [[Tempranillo]] grape, locally known as '''Tinto Fino''' or '''Tinta del País'''.<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.</ref>  

== Background ==  
The DO Ribera del Duero was formally recognised in 1982, though [[viticulture]] in the region dates back at least to [[Roman times]].<ref>Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero, “La Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero”, www.riberadelduero.es.</ref> Medieval monasteries played a central role in maintaining and developing vine cultivation, and by the late 19th century the region was already producing wines of notable quality. Modern fame grew with the establishment of leading bodegas in the mid-20th century, most famously Vega Sicilia.<ref>Stevenson, ''The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia'', 5th ed., DK, 2011, ISBN 978-0756686840.</ref>  

== Characteristics ==  
The Ribera del Duero region stretches along the Duero River for around 115 km, covering parts of [[Burgos]], [[Valladolid]], [[Soria]], and [[Segovia]]. The climate is continental with marked temperature extremes—hot summers, cold winters, and significant diurnal shifts. These conditions, combined with high-altitude vineyards (750–1,000 m), contribute to wines with intense fruit, firm structure, and pronounced [[ageing potential]].<ref>Johnson & Robinson, ''The World Atlas of Wine'', 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, ISBN 978-1784724030.</ref>  

Tempranillo accounts for more than 90% of plantings, with small amounts of [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Merlot]], [[Malbec]], and [[Garnacha]] also authorised. White varieties are largely absent, though limited production of rosado exists.<ref>Ministerio de Agricultura (MAPA), “Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero”, mapa.gob.es.</ref>  

== Use in winemaking ==  
Ribera del Duero wines are classified according to Spain’s national ageing categories: [[Crianza]], [[Reserva]], and [[Gran Reserva]]. The wines are typically deep in [[colour]], with aromas of dark berries, spice, and sometimes tobacco or leather. High-quality examples are noted for their balance of fruit concentration, [[acidity]], and oak influence, allowing them to mature gracefully for decades.<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.</ref>  

[[Oak maturation]], traditionally in [[American oak]] but increasingly in [[French oak]], is a defining element of style. While the region is dominated by structured [[red wines]], modern [[winemaking]] has introduced greater stylistic diversity, ranging from powerful, [[full-bodied]] expressions to fresher, more fruit-driven interpretations.<ref>Johnson & Robinson, ''The World Atlas of Wine'', 2019.</ref>  

== See also ==  
* [[Tempranillo]]  
* [[Rioja]]  
* [[Spain]]  

== References ==  
{{reflist}}  

[[Category:Wine regions]]  
[[Category:Spanish wine]]