14 September 2009

Ribera del Duero Wine



Situated in the Castile and Leon region Ribera del Duero is one of five wine producing regions in Northern Spain. Most famous for its red wines the region predominantly uses the Tempranillo grape to produce its wine.
Ribera del Duero has over two hundred wineries and produces a broad range of quality reds. The region has said to have been producing wines for centuries but it has not been until quite recently (1970’s) that it has become recognized as one of the finest wine producing areas in Spain.



Alejandro Fernandez began producing red wines with the Tempranillo grape from his Pesquera bodega in the early 1970’s the following decade saw the “Pesquera” name become associated with quality wine and as a result saw a considerable expansion of wineries in the Ribera region with a massive increase in bodegas which remain today.
Ribera del Duero is the Northern province of Burgos, situated and named so after the river Duero. Topography in the area is rocky with soil being an even mixture of clay and silt. As with many other wine regions the climate is extreme with very hot summers and cold winters, however being in the North the Ribera enjoys a generous rainfall in comparison to southern wine producing regions of Spain.

Many of the award winning wines (of which there are many) are still produced today using 100% Tempranillo grapes. The wines themselves have a longevity and age very well even after bottling. Other grape types used in smaller quantities are the Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Excellent Vintage Years:
1989, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2004

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