Ribera Del Duero

Ribera del Duero stretches along the Duero river in Castilla y León, on a high-altitude (700–1000 m) plateau of clay, limestone and chalk. The continental climate — hot, very dry summers; cold winters; large diurnal swings — gives Tempranillo (known here as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino) extraordinary concentration, deep colour and firm structure. The category was put on the world map by Vega Sicilia (the original "Spanish first growth") and brought into the modern era by Pingus and a wave of ambitious estates. The wines age outstandingly and command serious prices.