Ribera del Guadiana

The wine region with denomination of origin (DO) Ribera del Guadiana is part of the Spanish autonomous community of Extremadura in the southwest of the country on the border with Portugal. It was named after the river Guadiana, which flows through the Extremadura or the wine region in the west.

After the first rules, adopted in 1997, the Designation of Origin Ribera del Guadiana was formed in April 1999 from six former country wine areas ( Vino de la Tierra ), which today continue to exist as sub-zones. These are in the northern province of Cáceres in the Sierra de Guadalupe and the foothills of the subzones Cañamero with 5 municipalities and Montánchez (27 municipalities). South and east of the Guadiana River in the province of Badajoz were the subzones Matanegra (8 municipalities), Ribera Alta de Guadiana (38 municipalities), defined Ribera Baja de Guadiana (11 municipalities) and Tierra de Barros (36 municipalities).

The recognition of the protected designation of origin DO goes to efforts by some bodegas back the subzone Tierra de Barros. Tierra de Barros is with the largest area is the most important sub-zone and had already in 1979 temporarily DO Status.

The climate

The climate does not differ significantly within the partially right between distant subzones. It is continental with Atlantic influences and brings hot, dry summers and not too cold winters. Rainfall of about 450 to 500 mm / year ( in the higher, northern subzones Cañamero and Montánchez with 500 to 800 mm / year and above) and the Guadiana provide enough water.

The soils

The soils of the sub-zones Cañamero and Montánchez in the north are rather barren and rocky ( shale ). The sub-zones of the province of Badajoz (especially Tierra de Barros ) offer in the river valleys of the Guadiana River and its tributaries fertile alluvial soils. In the subzone Ribera Alta in the eastern province of Badajoz sandy soils are predominant.

The wines

For the production of wines according to the classification, a relatively large number of varieties is permitted:

White ( Blanco ): Alarije, Borba blanca, Cayetana Blanca, Pardina, Viura ( Macabeo ), Chardonnay, Chelva ( Montua ), Eva ( Beba de los Santos), Malvar, Parellada, Pedro Ximénez, Verdejo

Red ( Tintas ): Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo ( Cencibel / Tinto Fino ), Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Graciano, Mazuela, Merlot, Monastrell, Syrah

In the two sub-zones of the province of Cáceres more white wine is produced. In the more southerly sub-zones (especially Tierra de Barros ) dominates red wine ( Tempranillo ).

In the sub-zones, the main use of the following grapes is prescribed:

Ribera Alta: Chelva, Pedro Ximénez, Alarije, Borba, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Cayetana Blanca
Tierra de Barros: Cayetana Blanca, Pardina, Viura, Montua, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo
Matanegra: Cayetana Blanca, Eva, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo
Ribera Baja: Cayetana Blanca, Pardina, Viura, Montua, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo
Montánchez: Borba, Pedro Ximénez, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Malvar
Cañamero: Alarije, Verdejo, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo

The alcohol content in white wines ( Blancos ) and rosé ( rosados ) must be at least 10% vol, Red ( Tinto ) must have at least 11% vol.