Ribera del Duero DO

Technical Summary

• Classification: DO (Denominación de Origen)
• EU Registration: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
• Geographic scope: Central section of Duero River valley, Castilla y León
• Wine types: Red (~97%), Rosado (~3%), limited white (Albillo)
• Varietal dominance: Tempranillo (locally Tinto Fino) minimum 75%
• Terroir: High elevation (700-1,000m); extreme diurnal temperature variation

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

Red wines:

• Tempranillo (Tinto Fino): Minimum 75%
• Permitted complementary: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha (up to 25% combined)

Rosado:

• Same varieties as red

White (limited):

• Albillo Mayor (recently authorized)

• Source: Pliego de Condiciones DO Ribera del Duero

Geographic Delimitation

• Provinces: Burgos (majority), Segovia, Soria, Valladolid
• Municipalities: 102 villages
• Total vineyard area: ~23,000 hectares
• Elevation: 700-1,000m (among highest in Spain)
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Yield Limits

• Red grapes: 7,000 kg/ha (~49 hl/ha)
• White grapes (Albillo): 8,000 kg/ha
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Aging Classification

Category	Total Aging	Oak Aging	Bottle Aging
Joven (Roble)	None required	Optional short oak	None
Crianza	2 years	1 year minimum	Remainder
Reserva	3 years	1 year minimum	Remainder
Gran Reserva	5 years	2 years minimum	Remainder

• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Minimum Alcohol

• Red: 11.0% vol (typical: 13.5-15%)
• Rosado: 11.0% vol
• Source: Pliego de Condiciones

Enological Implications

Evidence-Backed Implications

High altitude viticulture:

• 700-1,000m elevation creates extreme diurnal variation (up to 20°C)
• Preserves acidity during ripening
• Extended growing season; late harvest (October)

Tempranillo concentration:

• Thick skins from sun exposure and temperature stress
• Higher phenolic concentration than lower-elevation regions
• Deep color; firm tannins

French oak preference:

• Modern Ribera del Duero predominantly French oak
• Contrasts with Rioja’s American oak tradition
• Shorter aging; more fruit-forward style

Operational Observations

Vega Sicilia influence:

• Iconic producer established modern quality standards
• Extended aging model (10+ years for Único)
• Influenced regional reputation

Climate change challenges:

• Earlier harvest dates
• Higher alcohol potential
• Continued quality at current elevations

Frequent Compliance Risks

Tempranillo Percentage Shortfall

• Risk: Red wine below 75% Tempranillo
• Impact: Cannot be labeled Ribera del Duero DO
• Mitigation: Precise blending calculations

Aging Documentation

• Risk: Insufficient oak aging proof
• Impact: Cannot claim aging category
• Mitigation: Cellar tracking; barrel logs

Yield Exceedance

• Risk: Exceeding 7,000 kg/ha
• Impact: Excess declassified
• Mitigation: Green harvest; yield monitoring

Relevant Grape Varieties

• Tempranillo — primary variety (as Tinto Fino)
• Cabernet Sauvignon — permitted complementary
• Merlot — permitted complementary

References

1. Pliego de Condiciones DO Ribera del Duero

   • Consejo Regulador DO Ribera del Duero
   • URL: https://www.riberadelduero.es/

2. eAmbrosia - EU GI Register

   • URL: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eambrosia/

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Last Updated: January 6, 2026