I still remember those WineMine travels with Claire that took us from San Sebastian to Peñafiel. Last May, I joined WineMine friends from Portugal for a SweetEasy wine tour of the Basque Txakoli wine region, followed by wine explorations in Ribera del Duero. This post will be an overview, the first in Living the Dream series of posts, that I will do on Ribera del Duero wine country. Not only, would I discover the spring time beauty of Ribera del Duero but also, learn about its long history and tradition of wine making. 
Ribera del Duero
Indeed, I had come to experience today's Ribera del Duero first hand. Over three days, we would visit a variety of wineries, ranging from boutique to large scale producers. In addition, our foodie adventures would include traditional to modern style cuisine.
Ribera del Duero DO is located in northern Spain's Castilla y León region. There on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, along the sides of the Duero River, the wine region occupies the southern plains of Burgos province, extends west to Valladolid, and into parts of Segovia and Doris provinces. The appellation received DO status in 1982. In 2008, it was approved for Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOCa) status however, it never pursued this classification, so it remains a DO appellation. It is one of Spain's best red wine regions. It is known for its Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), which is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, up to 25 %. The appellation is almost exclusively red and rosado (rosé) wines. To be recognized as DO, its red wines must contain a minimum of 75 % Tempranillo. No more than 5 % Garnacha or Albillo, in total, may be added. Its Rosado wines must have a minimum of 50 % of the authorized red varieties. The white wine produced, mostly for local consumption, is Albillo. DO regulations require at least 75 % of Albillo grapes be used.
Spring time was great timing to checkout the wines, the cuisine and admire the landscape, dotted with poppies.
Travels in Ribera del Duero Wine Country
Upon arrival in Ribero del Duero our very first wine tasting was at Bodegas Aalto. After the wine tasting we ate lunch in Peñafiel, checked into Hotel La Vida, and concluded with dinner at our hotel.
Bodegas Aalto
For sure expectations were high for our first wine tasting at Bodegas Aalto. Bodegas Aalto has the reputation of producing some of the finest wines in Ribera del Duero and Spain.
We were about to taste some of the top rated wines in the world.
We tasted two of their 2020 wines.
While these wines are ready to drink now they will gain complexity over the years.
After our first wine tasting at Bodegas Aalto it was off to lunch in Peñafiel.
Molino de Palacios, Peñafiel
Over lunch we enjoyed some traditional Spanish foods with Ribera del Duero wines. We would later check into our hotel, followed by dinner.
Everywhere our vine-filled Ribera del Duero explorations took us, poppies and vineyards dotted the landscape.
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| #Winelovers Casting Shadows, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
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| Winelover Shadows, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Cillar De Silos was a big hit for us.
We met at the winery and were off to their historic cellars.
The wine selection poured during lunch included wines other than Copa 21 wines. There was also a special beer and drink included in the dining experience.
Also, wherever we travelled there were red poppies.
Ribero del Duero Poppies © Spaswinefood
Many times at prior wine events I have had the pleasure of enjoying Ribera del Duero wines. During those Wine Wednesday gatherings in Guatemala we explored Ribera del Duero and Roja Tempranillo wines. Also, during a press trip to north Spain in 2013, and a #WBC15 Wine Bloggers Conference.
1. Portia Crianza, Ribera del Duero DO 2009
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| Portia Crianza, Ribera del Duero DO 2009 © Spaswinefood |
During the conference I also tasted another Portia wine.
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| Portia Crianza, Ribera del Duero DO 2013 © Spaswinefood |
2. Bodegas Fuentespina, Selección 2011
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| Bodegas Fuentespina, Selección 2011 © Spaswinefood |
These bold, complex red wines are rich in fruit.
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| Ribera y Rueda Wines © Spaswinefood |
Checkout the RiberaRuedaWine website for an overall promotion of wines from these regions.
Earlier Visit to Northern Spain, 2013
After a fabulous introduction to Rioja at Digital Wine Communications Conference (#DWCC) we went on a press trip to northern Spain sponsored by Araex. It was a tour through the wine regions of Rueda, Ribera del Deuro, Navarra and Rioja at the end of harvest. One of our stops through these wine regions included Bodegas Valtravieso (D.O. Ribera del Duero).
Vignette: Harvest Time at Bodegas Valtravieso (D.O. Ribera del Duero)During our visit to Bodegas Valtravieso we were able see the harvest in its last day. When we arrived at the winery the owner met our group. He took us first to observed the harvest. Later, we toured the winery and sampled some of Bodegas Valtravieso wines.
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| Bodegas Valtravieso owner leads wine tasting © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch at Fuente De La Aceña © Spaswinefood |
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| Valtravieso Crianza, D.O. Ribera del Duero 2009 © Spaswinefood |
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| 2011 Valtravieso Crianza & 2010 Rolland/Galarret Tempranillo Merlot © Spaswinefood |
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| 2013 Harvest, Bodegas Valtravieso © Spaswinefood |
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| 2013 Harvest at Bodegas Valtravieso © Spaswinefood |
The end October 2013 in northern Spain's D.O. Ribera del Duero was the perfect opportunity to see first hand the ending of this year's harvest. The viewing of the harvest was possible at that time because it was 2-3 weeks later than normal. I invite you to join me in my travels in Spain and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
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