Ribera de Duero

The Ribera del Duero Denomination of Origin (DO) was established in 1982. Only wines from grapes grown and wine produced in the defined geographic area can be given this denomination. The area is located in the north central part of Spain, including area in the provinces of Burgos, Soria, Segovia and Valladolid

The climate in this area is continental, dry and windy in the summer. The winters are relatively severe for the Iberian Penninsula, with hard frosts but infrequent snowfalls. The soil conditions along the Rio Duero are ideal for the varieties of grapes grown in the area.

Only specified varieties of grapes may be used in the wine of the Ribera Del Duero DO. The most important variety of grape grown in the area is the "Tinta del País". Other varieties grown in the area are granache, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec. These last three can only be used if they come from ancient vineyards.

The denomination of origin is controlled by a regulating counsel that ensures that the wines given the denomination meet strict standards in several areas in addition to the geographic area and grape varieties. The standards requires adherence to specified vineyard and winemaking practices, a maximum yield and a minimum alcohol content.

For more information on the Ribera del Duero Denomination of Origin, we can recommend two excellent sites.
The website Reserva Y Cata has a more detailed discussion of the denomination in English.

The website for the Regulating Counsel is only in Spanish.