Ribera del Duero Wine

Ribera del Duero DO (Denominación de Origen) is an important wine-producing region contained within the Castilla y León autonomous community in the north of Spain. Its reputation is largely due to the quality of its red wines, the best examples of which are renowned throughout the world. The capital of Ribera del Duero is the historic town of Aranda de Duero, which boasts a series of antique underground cellars ('bodegas') built to store wine. The interconnecting cellars reach a depth of 40ft (12m) in places.

Ribera del Duero sits on the elevated northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula at a height of 2800ft (800m) above sea level. It is divided by the Duero river, which provides the local vineyards with a much-needed water supply. The region's inland location, coupled with the sheltering effects of nearby mountains, creates an extreme climate in which hot and dry summers are followed by harsh winters. In the growing season, the high daytime temperatures are combined with considerably cooler nights – a condition which assists in the optimum accumulation of aromas and other chemical compounds (phenolics) in the grapes.

The leading local producer is Bodegas Vega Sicilia, which took the wine world by storm with its 'Unico' label. Pesquera is another renowned brand, created by the region's best-known winemaker, Alejandro Fernández. Other prominent producers include Dominio de Pingus and Emilio Moro.

Ribera del Duero is almost entirely devoted to red wine, with Tempranillo the most widely planted grape variety. It is known locally either as Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais and produces wines which are deeply colored with a firm tannin structure and complex aromas. Most of the top examples age gracefully for years.

Garnacha is used for rosé wines, while a few wineries employ small quantities of Bordeaux varieties in their red blends. Albillo is the only white grape grown in Ribera del Duero, producing wines for local consumption.