Ribera del Duero produces superb wine, situated in the province of Burgos, in the north-central part of Spain. Tempranillo is the famous grape variety of Ribera del Duero. Ribera del Duero has gained a reputation as one of the top wine regions in the world.
Ribera del Duero Brief History
The Ribera del Duero wine industry has a fascinating history going back to the time of the Roman Empire. Moreover, top-quality wines were produced during the Roman times. However, it was only in the 1980s that the region began to receive global recognition for its wines. In 1982 the Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen (DO) was officially recognised and regulated. The Denominación helped regulate the production and labelling of wines from the region. Moreover, the Designation of Origin (DO) played a crucial role in maintaining the excellence of the wines. Through setting specific criteria for the grapes used in production and ensuring they met the established standards.
Peñafiel
Beginning with Peñafiel, a town in Ribera del Duero. The soil in this region is distinct and contains a blend of clay and limestone. The climate here is hot and dry most times of the year. This creates wines bold and full-bodied in character. Often featuring strong notes of dark fruits and spices creating the rich and intense flavours that many love.
In Penãfiel, you can find some of the most renowned producers, such as Bodegas Protos and Bodegas Vega Sicilia.
Bodegas Protos
Founded in 1927, Bodegas Protos is one of the most widely recognised and largest in the region and over the years, it has earned a reputation for excellence and heritage.
Moreover, the winery is famous for using traditional winemaking methods and prioritising creating exceptional quality wines. Further, they make a myriad of red wines, with their flagship being Protos Reserva. This wine is a blend of the Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.
Bodegas Vega Sicilia
Bodegas Vega Sicilia is the most well-known winery from Ribera del Duero and possibly all of Spain. It’s famous for creating some of the greatest wines in the world. Founded in the mid-1800s and famous for its quality, ageability and use of traditional winemaking methods. The winery makes a variety of red wines, with its most famous being Unico. Unico is a mix of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Aranda de Duero
Aranda de Duero is another significant town in the region. The region is famous for its arid and warm climate, and rich soils of clay and sand. Aranda de Duero is known for producing wines with strong dark fruit and spice notes. Moreover, the town has many famous wine producers such as Bodegas Borsao and Bodegas Aalto.
Bodegas Borsao
Bodegas Borsao is a large winery in the area. Borsao is famous for its emphasis on producing high-quality wines and utilising contemporary methods of winemaking. Further, Tinto Pesquera is the winery’s most popular wine made entirely from Tempranillo.
Bodegas Aalto
Another popular winery in Aranda de Duero is Bodegas Aalto. Founded in the 1990s and gained a reputation for its dedication to crafting incredible wines through traditional winemaking methods. The winery makes various types of red wines, the most popular being Aalto. It’s a combination of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Why Ribera del Duero is Unique
Moreover, what makes the region different is its high altitude and unique climate and soil. The weather in the area is hot and dry, making grapes of strong and distinct flavours. Additionally, a mixture of clay and limestone make up the soil in the region. Moreover, many wine producers prioritise quality and utilise traditional winemaking techniques. This contributes to the distinct character and quality of the wines.
Conclusion
Ribera del Duero is an area that has been producing wine for hundreds of years, known for making excellent wine. The region is also famous for its scorching and arid weather. Additionally, the blend of clay and limestone soils in the region contributes a mineral-like quality to the wines. The wineries such as Vega Sicilia have helped propel Ribera del Duero to the forefront of the world of wine. Ribera del Duero wines have now become highly valued by wine enthusiasts and collectors. This is due to their exceptional blend of climate, soil, winemaking methods, and emphasis on excellence.