Ribera del Duero

Geography & Climate
Located in Castilla y Leon about half way between La Rioja and Madrid, it sees harsh continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Rainfall ranges 400 - 600mm a year. The DO region is within meseta of the Iberian Peninsula. It spread over 110km along the River Duero creating various types of mesoclimates which vary depending on the aspect, exposure, altitude and soil type.

Viticulture
Tinto Fino(Tempranillo) accounts for about 95% of the total planting and about 35% of the plantings are dedicated for old vines(25 y.o or older). The variety ripens early before the severe cold weather pattern commence. In 2008 Ribera del Duero was lifted to a higher tier of quality control called DOCa. This leads to more stringent quality control is ensured.

Production
In old days, many growers used to sell their grapes to large co-operatives in bulk. After the DO was recognized in 1982, selling as their own brands and even single vineyard wine have increased.Due to the dominance of the Tempranillo, many wines are sold as varietal wine Of Tempranillo.

Producers
Vega Sicilia.


[Relevant source]
All About Ribera del Duero. Ribera Rueda Wine. [online] Available at https://www.riberaruedawine.com/
Accessed on 18 June 2018

Siddons. S(2009). Ribera del Duero Wine Region Agriculture. Lifestyle. [online] Available at https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/
Accessed on 18 June 2018.