Ribera del Duero Wines

Ribera del Duero follows the Duero river through four provinces of Castile and León: Burgos, Valladolid, Soria and Segovia. It is one of Europe’s highest wine regions, with vineyards between 750 and over 1,000 metres. Summers are short and hot, winters long, and the gap between day and night temperatures can exceed 20 degrees. That contrast produces thick-skinned grapes with deep colour and the acidity needed for long ageing.

The star grape is Tinta del País, also called Tinto Fino: the local form of Tempranillo, which must make up at least 75% of every red. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Garnacha complete the blend. Since 2019 the appellation also covers whites made from Albillo Mayor, a native variety once grown mainly among mixed vineyards.

Roble: a few months in barrel. Black fruit and gentle toasty notes; an everyday wine.
Crianza: at least two years of ageing, one in barrel. The most popular Ribera style.
Reserva: at least three years, one in barrel. More structure and depth.
Gran reserva: at least five years, two in barrel. Made only in the best vintages, with great ageing potential.

With wood-oven roast suckling lamb (lechazo), the region’s signature dish, a crianza. With Segovian roast suckling pig, a reserva. With Burgos black pudding and cured sausages, a roble. With a grilled T-bone (chuletón), a reserva or gran reserva. With wild mushrooms and porcini from Soria, an oak-aged red or an Albillo Mayor white. And with aged sheep’s cheese, any Ribera with a few years in bottle.