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We don’t know about you, but as we head into autumn, our drinking habits are changing. Gone are al fresco spritzes; we’re craving full-bodied, textured wines, ideally by a fireplace. Ribera del Duero, located in the historic Castilla y León region on the banks of the river Duero, has been producing quality wines for over 2,500 years.
If you’re looking for a selection of wines to suit a range of palates and budgets, Ribera del Duero should be right at the top of your list. Wines range from Reserva and Gran Reserva defined by full-bodied, smoky dark fruit flavours, to Crianza, a younger, lighter and more modern option.
Castilla y León
But what makes Ribera wines so special? As ever, it comes down to location. Set within a 115km strip of vineyards, the area is known for its old vines, harsh climate and for being the home of tempranillo, or tinto fino as it’s known locally, Spain’s most prominent red grape variety.
For wine, the region is incredibly diverse, stretching down the riverbanks, up the slopes of the valley, and into exposed moorlands at some of the highest altitude vineyards in Europe.
If you’re a serious oenophile, you’ll be intently nodding along with this, but if you just want to know what all this means in terms of the wine you’re drinking: The result is luxurious, deep flavour profiles, and we’re heading right into peak season for bold, full-bodied wines. They are perfect to drink on their own, but pair especially well with rich and hearty dishes. Try a glass of red with a tender beef wellington, seafood paella, or slow-cooked coq au vin.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Ribera del Duero region and sampling some of its wines, a tasting will be held on Thursday 13 November from 6.30-8.30pm. Over 170 wines selected by master of wine Tim Atkin will be available to taste, and Tickets are just £10 per person.
Find out more about the wines of Ribera del Duero on Instagram at @riberadelduerouk.
