Castilla y León

DO region in the region of Castila-León in northern Spain, it stretches along the Duero river (which then crosses the border to Portugal, where its name changes to Duoro) for more than a 100 kilometres. The various soil structures are characteristic of this region, this leads to a wide range of wine styles and different qualities. The vineyard area totals 18.600 hectares, mostly in the highlands at an altitude of 750 to 850 metres above sea level. The climate is characterised by very hot daytime temperatures of up to 40 °C, dropping at night to 15 °C. These variations, resp. the nocturnal rest phase, have a very positive effect on the nutrient uptake of the vines, and on the acidity of the grapes. The following red varieties are permitted: Tinta del País (variant of Tempranillo), Garnacha Tinta, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, as well as the white variety Albillo. Outstanding red wines are produced in the region that are in all respects the equal of wines from Rioja. They are made mainly from Tinta del País (minimum of 75%, but pure varietal wines are also produced), and mostly matured in barriques. Rosé wines are made from Garnacha Tinta, white wines, which are not classified as DO wines, are made from Albillo. Well-known producers include Alejandro Fernández, Alión, Balbás, Briego, Condado de Haza, Dehesa de los Canónigos, Dominio de Pingus, Emilio Moro, Hermanos Cuadrado, Imperiales, Ismael Arroyo, Matarromera, Monasterio, Pago de los Capellanes, Peñalba López, Telmo Rodríguez, Santa Eulalia, Valdubón, Valtravieso, Vega Sicilia and Viña Pedrosa. To the west of Ribera del Duero, also on the Duero river, lie the DO regions Cigales, Rueda and Toro.