Focusing on Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero has produced wine for thousands of years but it was only in 1982 that the region was recognized as a DO, or denominación de origen, and formally became the region we know today. It is situated on a plateau in the Castile and León provinces, a couple of hours drive directly north of Madrid. The name of the region translates as the Banks of the river Duero, which is the same river known as the Douro in Portugal. It is one of Spain’s iconic wine regions, with its top producers famous worldwide for the quality and age-ability of their wines. Whilst some of the wines here can go for hundreds of pounds a bottle there are still some great value wines available.
Ribera del Duero
The main grape varieties used in this region are Tempranillo for reds and Albillo Mayor for white wines. Both of these vines are well suited to hot, dry climates, such as those found in Ribera del Duero, and are often grown in bush vines (a way of growing vines which helps protect them from excessive heat and drought by growing them close to the ground, making them look like a bush). Despite the hot summer climate here the nighttime temperatures drop dramatically, allowing the grapes to retain their freshness whilst ensuring the wines are rich and intense in style. The wines from Ribera also tend to be aged in French oak rather than American oak, giving them a little more elegance.
To help make them even more accessible we are offering 10% off all our Ribera del Duero wines. Here are a few of the fantastic wines from this region that we have in store as we celebrate this wonderful Spanish wine region. Please use the promotion code RDD10 at checkout to benefit from your discount.
Sembro Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero
Normally £15.95 Now £14.36
This 100% Tempranillo is aged in oak for 5 months. It has an intense purple red colour, with flecks of violet. The bouquet offers hints of red dried fruits and dark berries, liquorice and roasted bread as well as sweet aromas of vanilla and caramel. The palate is pleasant and balanced, with silky, full tannins. The aftertaste shows more red fruits like strawberry and raspberry and classy oak and vanilla tones.
Emilio Moro Finca Resalso, Ribera del Duero
Aged in oak for 4 months, this wine is deep cherry red in colour with a violet rim. It is honest, intense and very expressive on the nose. The primary aromas of Tempranillo, such as blackberry and blackcurrant, stand out. It is well-structured in the mouth with mellow tannins and well-balanced acidity. Practising Organic.
Finca Villacreces Pruno, Ribera del Duero
Normally £22.95 Now £20.66
This wine is made from grapes grown in vineyards adjacent to Vega Sicilia. Made mostly with Tempranillo and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot It is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Powerfully purple in appearance, this gives out a brooding bouquet of earthy minerality, spices, a touch of incense and a range of black fruits. Velvety textured, sweetly fruited, layered and lengthy, this is a fantastic value wine.
Tinto Pesquera Crianza, Ribera del Duero
Fresh entry into the mouth with a silky and very sweet mid palate, perfectly integrated acidity and slightly marked and very pleasant tannins. In the aftertaste black fruit such as blackberry is perceived. The wood is perceived as very well integrated with those toasted and vanilla notes typical of aging in American oak.