D.O. Ribera del Duero
The Designation of Origin Ribera del Duero covers the vineyards located in Castilla y León, within a strip of the Duero river basin, about 115 kilometers long and 35 wide, located at the confluence of the provinces of Burgos, Segovia and Valladolid. It begins roughly in the east at San Esteban de Gormaz and extends to Quintanilla de Onesimo in the west. Its main variety is the Tempranillo grape, also known in the region as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino, which gives the characteristic colour, aroma and body to the red wines of the Ribera del Duero. Although reds predominate, there are also rosés and since 2018 white wines with the Albillo Mayor variety are allowed.
According to the regulations of the Regulatory Council, in order for a wine to benefit from the denomination of origin, it must include at least 75% Tempranillo in its production. In total, no less than 95% of the grape must be Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. Garnacha and Albillo grapes are allowed, but in small quantities.
According to the regulations of the Regulatory Council, in order for a wine to benefit from the denomination of origin, it must include at
least 75% Tempranillo in its production. In total, no less than 95% of the grape must be Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and
Malbec. Garnacha and Albillo grapes are allowed, but in small quantities.
Verdejo grape: the protagonist
The Rueda Denomination of Origin, founded in 1980, has the Verdejo grape as its protagonist. An indigenous variety of the area, where it has lived for more than ten centuries and makes this denomination of origin internationally recognized for the production of quality white wines, from young and fresh wines to whites for aging, including fermented and aged in barrels.
The production area covered by the D.O. Rueda is located in the Community of Castilla y León and is made up of 74 municipalities, of which 53 are located in the south of the province of Valladolid, 17 in the west of Segovia and 4 in the north of Ávila. The character of Rueda is defined by three elements: the Verdejo grape, native to the area, the continental climate and the gravelly soils.