do you know the red wines of Ribera del Duero? The Ribera del Duero Denomination of Origin is one of the most recognized worldwide thanks to its high quality red wines that always surprise wine lovers.
Vineyards of Castilla y Leon manage to produce vigorous and very seductive wines that have managed to capture the attention of thousands of people who recognize Ribera del Duero as one of the best red wine appellations.
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what is Ribera del Duero red wine?
Ribera del Duero red wine is a broth full of flavor that makes it a delight for the palate, are made with red vines grown within the Duero Designation that covers vineyards of Castilla y Leon. Its climate and soil give vines with a lot of flavor.
Origin and History of Ribera del Duero Red Wine
Everything seems to indicate that the Phoenicians, through trade, introduced the most advanced cultivation and production techniques to the Iberian Peninsula together with the vines about 1000 years before our era.
Centuries later the Romans discovered the quality of the wines of Hispania, being the wines of Ribera del Duero the most used to supply their armies.
The Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero arose thanks to the initiative of winegrowers and winemakers concerned about promoting the vineyards and the quality of the Ribera del Duero wines, and it is since then when the best technologies have been used under the strictest controls to ensure high quality red wines.
Characteristics of Ribera del Duero Red Wine
Ribera del Duero red wines are unique, thanks to their freshness, aroma and flavor that make them stand out.
- Ribera del Duero red wine is 95% made from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec grapes
- Grapes such as Garnacha and Albillo are allowed but only 5% in its elaboration
- They are fresh wines
- Full-bodied
- Well-defined and attractive aromas
- They have good balance
Color, flavor and aroma of Ribera del Duero red wine
The Ribera del Duero red wine is a balanced wine that shows its best flavor and aroma thanks to the quality of the vines from which it is made.
- Sight: Intense cherry red color with bluish, indigo, violet and purple hues, but can also present very vivid ruby glints.
- Nose: Pleasant fruity aromas mixed with oak, vanilla, licorice and wild berries that make it very attractive.
- Palate: Meaty, structured and round, making it balanced and lively on the palate.
Alcohol Content of Ribera del Duero Wine
Ribera del Duero red wine is very balanced, fresh and pleasant, its alcohol content is between 13% and 14%.
Types of Ribera del Duero Red Wine
The Ribera del Duero red wine according to its elaboration can be found in 4 different types that give it more depth and personality.
Young Red
Wine without permanence in wood or with less than 12 months in oak barrels.
Crianza Red
Wine that has spent at least 12 months in oak barrels.
Tinto Reserva
Wine with 36 months of aging between barrel and bottle, with at least 12 months in barrel.
Gran Reserva Red
Wine aged for 60 months between barrel and bottle, fulfilling at least 24 months in barrel.
Pairing of Ribera del Duero Red Wine
The Ribera del Duero red wine is a special wine, so each of its types accompanies certain dishes, so we can say then that at the time of uncorking a bottle we must know well with what we will accompany it. 
- Canapés with olives and light sausages: These delicious appetizers are perfectly combined giving harmony and highlighting the flavors as long as they are accompanied by a young red wine
- Semi-cured cheeses: The delicate flavor of the young red wine Ribera del Duero combines with the flavor of the cheeses and creates a very pleasant sensation on the palate as it balances the natural fat of the cheese.
- Pasta: Any pasta accompanied by any of the Ribera del Duero wines generates an exquisite taste on the palate
- Meat: Grilled, in sauce, roasted and stewed meats are a good option to combine with Ribera del Duero Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva red wines
- Vegetables: They combine perfectly with Ribera del Duero crianza, reserva and gran reserva reds, creating flavors that delight
- Blue fish: Their flavors blend creating a sensational explosion
- Rice: Preferably with all those containing fish
how is Ribera del Duero red wine made?
Ribera del Duero red wine is made with a minimum of 75% of the Tempranillo variety, also known as Tinta del país or Tinto fino. Other grape varieties such as Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec are also used.
The young wines are aged in oak barrels for less than 12 months; once this time has elapsed, they are placed on the market a few months later.
The Crianza red wine spends a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels and is marketed after October 1 of the second year after the harvest.
Tinto Reserva has 36 months of aging between barrel and bottle, of which at least 12 months are kept in barrels, and is marketed after October 1 of the third year after the harvest.
The Gran Reserva has 60 months of aging between barrel and bottle, with a minimum of 24 months in barrel, and reaches the market after October 1 of the fifth year after the harvest.
Characteristics of the grapes used in Ribera del Duero wines
The grapes allowed by the Ribera del Duero Denomination of Origin are Tempranillo, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, some of their most important characteristics are the following:
Tempranillo Grape
Also known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País, it is the most cultivated grape variety in Spain.
- Large and compact bunches
- Non-pigmented, soft and very juicy flesh
- High vigorous vines
- Produces well in short prunings, but improves its health and the quality of its grapes if established on trellises
- Produces very fruity wines with carbonic maceration
- Enhances its value when aged in barrels giving excellent results
Cabernet-Sauvignon Grape
One of the best known grapes worldwide, which is also known by names such as: Vidure, Bidure, Bordeaux and Carbouet.
- Very small clusters with easy detachment
- Small berries with slightly colored pulp when ripe
- Gives musts of intense, dark and very lively color, but austere and tannic
- Produces wines with an interesting tannic structure and stable color if fully ripe
Merlot Grape
Merlot grape wines stand out for their spicy and fruity flavors such as berries, mint and raisins or red fruits.
- Medium to small clusters
- Small berries with unpigmented pulp and peculiar flavor
- High resveratrol content, which makes it very attractive for varietal wines
- It is a suitable variety for making young wines
Malbec Grape
A very well known grape used to make delicious red wines.
- Small to medium-sized clusters
- Large and rounded berries
- Requires good support for its formation
- Better quality is achieved with long pruning and may require some practice to regulate production
Temperature of Ribera del Duero wines
Ribera del Duero red wine is a fresh wine, so it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16°C and 18°C to better enjoy its splendor.
Price and best brands of Red Wine Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero red wine has a price that can range from €10 to €250, thanks to its quality and demand.
Caramelo Rodero 9 months 2017
A cherry red full of intense floral aromas combined with red fruits, lactic notes and vanilla glints that give it elegance, and a light finish in its passage through the mouth €10.90.
Pago de los Capellanes El Nogal 2014
A reserve red wine that presents an intense cardinal purple color, with garnet trim, its aromas of flowers and dried fruits fill our senses with smoky tones, coffee and hints of licorice that make it elegant and fleshy leaving a long aftertaste 41,50 € 41,50.
Celia 2014
A cherry-colored crianza red wine with a garnet rim, full of ripe black fruit aromas that make it ample and very fresh, as well as enveloping thanks to its very good quality tannins 61,90 €.
Pesquera Millenium 2009
A cherry-red colored red wine with an intense and bright robe, full of fruity aromas and well-integrated touches of wood that give it balance on the palate, making it a wine with good structure, good acidity and explosiveness that make it sublime 77,50 €.
Flor de Pingus 2016
A cherry red wine with a pleasant aroma of black fruits, spices and smoky background that give it freshness and elegance thanks to the notes of its time in oak 129,90 €.
