level: Duero River Valley
Questions and Answers List
The need-to-know DOs of the Duero River Valley
level questions: Duero River Valley
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| DO Bierzo: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 83% tinto (Mencia), 12% blanco (Godello); continental with significant maritime; granite, limestone, quartzite, slate |
| DO Cigales: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 64% rosado & 34% tinto (Tinta del Pais/Tempranillo), 2% blanco (Verdejo); continental; sand and limestone topsoil atop clay and loam; one of Spain's largest producers of rosados |
| What are Majuelos? | Family owned and farmed plots within village who sell grapes to producers in DO Cigales |
| DO Ribera del Duero: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 99% tinto (Tinto Fino/Tinta del Pais/Tempranillo); continental; 32 soils, primarily sandy limestone and clay; one of highest average elevations |
| DO Ribera del Duero - Crianza | 12 months in barrel, 24 months before release |
| DO Ribera del Duero - Reserva | 12 months in barrel, 36 months before release |
| DO Ribera del Duero - Gran Reserva | 24 months in barrel, 60 months before release |
| DO Rueda: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 99% blanco (Verdejo); continental; gravel and stone, sandy limestone and limestone; approx. 40% of Spain's white wine production |
| "Rueda" white wine | ≥ 50% Verdejo |
| "Rueda Verdejo" white wine | ≥ 85% Verdejo |
| "Rueda Sauvignon" white wine | ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc |
| "Rueda Espumoso" | ≥ 50% Verdejo (Seco/Semi-seco), ≥ 85% Verdejo (Brut/Brut Nature) |
| "Rueda Dorado" | Oxidatively aged using only Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Palomino Fino and/or Viura |
| DO Toro: Styles (primary grapes), climate, soils | 93% tinto (Tinta de Toro/Tempranillo); continental; sand and clay with limestone; typically Tempranillo, sometimes Garnacha Tinta added to blend |