In Spain the wine is not just a product but part of our culture, it´s quite logical if you realize that every single region in Spain produces its own wine and every single one has different features that make it unique. Let´s travel through all of them to understand a little more this fabulous part of our lives.

Today we will talk about the Ribera del Duero geography and climate. The Ribera del Duero is one of the most important wine regions of Spain, not only for its large size, 11,300 hectares approximately, but for its features that make it unique and very special.

It goes all along the banks of the river Duero which is 115 km long and crosses the Spanish territory from Soria, the birthplace in the Picos de Urbión (Iberian System) to the Atlantic Ocean crossing Porto (Portugal).

The soul of the river is the heart of Castilla itself and that is why the wines from this region have inherited the strong and stern but generous character of the people there.

The continental climate that the vines support puts them to the limit, with extreme temperatures in summer and winter, susceptibility to frost in the winter and drought in many warmer months. In summer, temperatures can range from 32 º C during the day and 6º C the same night.
All this stimulates the production of vital substances that become extremely intense color and aromas.

Generally, the vines that are able to survive such extreme conditions produce a dark, deeply aromatic and superbly structured wine, with intensity, style and longevity. In fact some experts have defined these wines as the longest-lived wines of Spain, showing their long slow process of evolution in a cluster of various sensory manifestations while arriving to the glass.

That´s the case of the wine that I introduce you today, Vegazar red 2003 vintage, a wine with “Castilla” personality. Bright cherry red color with violet tones. In nose fruit aromas (blackberry, cherry, sweet cherry) and flowers. The taste is full-bodied wine while subtle because of its fine and elegant tannins, with a long aftertaste. It has 13.4% alcohol and is perfect with all kinds of meat, cheese and sausages.