This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)
It’s undeniable that Ribera del Duero is an exceptional area for vine-growing, for many reasons: the area, terroir, climate… Today, we wanted to talk to you about a very special characteristic of the region where we’re located: the temperature difference that takes place and gives the vines a very particular ripening process.
There is a very significant temperature variation between day and night in Ribera del Duero, easily reaching around 30 degrees of difference in summer. This way, in the daytime there’s generally enough heat for the grape to keep ripening, while the fact that we usually have cool nights where the growing rhythm stops is also very important. This makes the development slow down a bit, and the key component in Arzuaga wines – the freshness and acidity – is maintained much better, as pointed out by Javier Bañales, Arzuaga’s sales manager and brand ambassador.
For example, we can see a clear difference between our wines from Ribera del Duero and those from Pago Florentino that come from Malagón (Ciudad Real), where the warmer temperatures make the ripening cycle shorter.
The climate influences all the phases in the vineyard: bud break, flowering, setting, veraison… Although, besides the temperature, the vineyard and how it is managed also play a very important role. However, the key for the temperature changes is always going to be the end of the grape ripening period. So much so that Javier Bañales doesn’t hesitate to say that starting from veraison is where there’s a ‘large part of that game we’re going to play’.
The temperature difference we’ve been talking about is one of the most important characteristics of Ribera del Duero, and this isn’t only thanks to the climate, but also the place we’re located and the altitude. This is something unique about Ribera that is passed on to and reflected in its wines and their properties. In the case of Arzuaga, we also enjoy that characteristic fineness and acidity that give our red wines good longevity and make our wines a benchmark within the designation of origin.