Castile and Léon, northwest of Madrid, is one of Spain's most fascinating wine regions. Barely 25 years ago it was still very unknown. Nowadays, modern and highly sought-after wines are made here. From the fresh white wine of Verdejo from Rueda to powerful red wine from Toro. The vineyards of Castilla y León, as the region is called in Spanish, are located high, at 500 to 900 meters. The soil is poor. The climate is extreme, with short, harsh winters and long, dry summers. Late frost until spring threatens the harvest every year. The grapes have to fight for every drop and that makes their juice rich and concentrated. Castile and Leon has 9 DOs, of which Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro and Bierzo are the most important.

DO Ribera del Duero

DO Ribera del Duero is one of the regions where wine has been produced for 3000 years. It is an area that mainly focuses on the Tepranillo grape, as red wines here must consist of at least 75% of this grape. In addition, international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec are also used. Thanks to the continental climate and the cooling provided by the Duero River, this is an ideal location for creating excellent wines. Venerable wineries such as Vega Sicilia show that Ribera del Duero can easily compete with the more famous Rioja region.

DO Toro

DO Toro is another region where the Tempranillo grape reigns supreme, where it is known as “Tinta de Toro.” Like other areas nearby, this area is crossed by the Duero River and enjoys a continental climate. The red wines in the DO Toro must consist of 100% of the Tinta de Toro grape. However, Tinto Roble wine can contain up to 10% Garnacha. In addition, white wines are also produced here, made from Verdejo or Malvasia grapes.