SPAIN UNCORKED

Ribera del Duero is a region in northwestern Spain making mostly red wines from the Tinto Fino grape. Tinto Fino is much like the Tempranillo grape found in Rioja, though the Tinto Fino clone has thicker skins. Wines made from Tinto Fino are deeper in colour, more full-bodied and more tannic than their Tempranillo counterparts.
 

One of the characteristics that makes Ribera del Duero wines stand out is the fact that despite being elegantly rich red wines, they also boast in refreshing acidity. This is due to the fact that the vines in Ribera del Duero are at extremely high altitudes ranging from 800-1000 metres above sea level. This means the region experiences a stark contrast between day  and night-time temperatures. As the temperature drops at night, the grapes retain their acidity and this acidity carries over to the final wine.

While Ribera del Duero is mostly known for its elegant red wines, Rueda is mostly known for its crisp white wines made predominantly from Verdejo. Rueda allows the use of other grape varieties for white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Viura. However, the key grape variety is Verdejo as it is in Rueda where this grape variety comes into its fullest expression.

Verdejo is indigenous to Rueda and as such has successfully adjusted to the soils and climate of the region. Its wines are  fresh, fruity and aromatic. New developments in Rueda towards more serious wines mean that winemakers are experimenting with barrel fermentation. These wines retain the aromatic qualities of Verdejo but also develop subtle hints of vanilla and oak.

Rueda became the first Designation of Origin in the Spanish province of Castilla y León in 1980. At this point, Rueda only produced white wines, though the region began producing red and rosé in August 2008.