Ribera del Guadiana is a Certified Origin, in Spanish “Denominación de Origen” (D.O.) for wines located in the region of Extremadura Community. It extends over two provinces, Cáceres in the north and Badajoz in the south. It takes its name from the River Guadiana, which flows through the region from east to west.
Grape varities of Ribera del Guadiana
There are in the D.O. 30 different grape varieties. The most important and well-known are the Spanish Tempranillo grapes, and the Pardina and Cayetana autochthones. The red varieties play a fundamental role in terms of production of quality wines.
Tempranillo is the most widely planted variety (14,500 ha out of a total of 25,000 ha covered by the D.O.).
Tempranillo grapes
it is a vigorous variety, it adapts to all types of soils with a preference for sunny terrains. It is not very sensitive to spring frosts but is susceptible to warm spring winds. Pruning: depending on the cultivation area, a long or short pruning is practiced, respecting the production-quality balance; and taking into account that it is a medium production variety.
An intense black berry defines this variety that produces wines with delicate fruity aromas.
Pardina grapes
It is a vigorous variety, very fertile from the first buds of the shoots, so it adapts to short prunings. It is one of the main varieties grown in Badajoz, with its characteristics very similar to the Airen, cultivated in La Mancha. The wines that are obtained are frank in taste, fruity and pale in colour.
Cayetana Blanca
This is one of the Autonomous varieties of Extremadura. They give wines of pale yellow colour, with greenish tones. In the olfactory phase they have intense and complex aromas, reminiscent of ripe fruits (bananas, apples) and also green aromas reminiscent of green reminiscent of orchard (spearmint). The palate is fresh with fruity sensations that provide a complete aftertaste.
