Thirsty tales

Taste Top Spanish Wines During Ribera del Duero Wine Bar Week

vrouwen drinken rode wijn

You can make any wine lover very happy with a visit to a wine bar. You can make them even happier—as I know from experience—by serving special wine flights of top-quality wines that are also attractively priced. And that is exactly what the 3rd edition of Ribera del Duero Wine Bar Week promises.

Foto van culinair journalist Sharon van Lokhorst

The so-called wine flight consists of 3 different wines from Ribera del Duero, one of Spain’s best-known wine regions, renowned for the top-quality wines produced there. The great thing about a wine flight is that you can taste different Ribera del Duero wines side by side. And believe me, that is certainly no punishment!

Ribera del Duero

Literally meaning ‘on the Duero’, Ribera del Duero is located in the heart of north-central Spain, 120 kilometres north of Madrid, and is a large, rugged wine region. The vineyards lie at altitudes ranging from around 720 to more than 1,000 metres above sea level, and the climate is extreme, with very hot summers and freezing winters. Perhaps not the ideal climate for humans to live in, but the region is extremely well suited to its most important grape, Tempranillo.

The extreme climate of this dry Spanish plateau, combined with the enormous difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, ensures that the grapes develop optimally. They benefit from the sunshine during the day, which allows them to ripen nicely, while the cold nights provide enough cooling to preserve their freshness and elegance. Good to know: in Spain, this blue wonder grape is called Tinto Fino or Tinto del País.

Ribera Del Duero Wooden Sign

Tempranillo: versatile little grape

Tempranillo can offer a multitude of flavours. At every wine bar, your wine flight includes three different styles, including a Joven/Roble, a Crianza and a Reserva. What can you expect?

Joven: Literally ‘young’, these are wines sold in the year after the harvest and therefore aged in little or no oak. They are often very approachable, with lots of fruit and a touch of spice.

Crianza: This wine does not leave the bodega until after 2 years and has spent at least 6 months in wooden barrels. Its character is often somewhat softer and fuller, with riper fruit while the spiciness becomes more complex.

Reserva: This only comes onto the market after 3 years and has spent at least 12 months in wooden barrels. Broadly speaking, Reserva wines can be divided into two styles: ‘the classic’, with very little fruit and lots of oak flavours (think vanilla, strawberry, coffee and sweet spices), and ‘the modern’, with more black cherry, plum, concentrated blackberry, leather and perhaps something smoky.

Naturally, the passionate wine-bar staff will be happy to tell you more about this special wine region and the classification of Ribera del Duero wines.

Participating wine bars in Ribera del Duero Wine Bar Week

From Thursday 2 November through Thursday 9 November, 20 wine bars across the Netherlands will serve a special Ribera del Duero wine flight. The wines served differ from one wine bar to another, so nothing is stopping you from visiting several wine bars.

Wine Bar Week participants

Got a taste for it?

I get it, because what incredible wines they are. The full-bodied, dense, concentrated flavour bombs are truly fantastic with food. Especially with hearty game flavours or roasted meat dishes—and the classic pairing is, of course, with lamb (tip: this roast lamb dish is highly recommended).

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