Ribera del Duero sits at high altitude along the Duero river in north-central Spain, where big swings between hot days and cold nights help grapes ripen fully while holding onto acidity. Tempranillo — known locally as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País — is planted almost exclusively, producing reds that tend to be darker, more concentrated and more structured than Rioja's, a style built for age. Vega Sicilia, one of Spain's most historically important estates, put the region on the map long before its current wave of investment.

Key grapes: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)