The Spanish wine region Ribera del Duero has been growing with double figures on the Dutch market for years. These powerful, complex red wines are in great demand among both wine consumers and the hospitality industry.
Ribera del Duero, which literally means ‘bank of the river’, is a renowned Spanish wine region with several world-famous wineries. The wines owe their exciting character to the high location of the vineyards on the banks of the Duero River, relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the extreme temperature differences during the year, the grapes develop full and complex aromas. The wines from the D.O. Ribera del Duero consist of at least 75% Tempranillo and are distinguished by their high quality, limited production and innovative dedication.
It is that time of year again when a lot of red wine is drunk and the holidays are almost here again. The perfect timing for wine inspiration in the winter months. We are happy to help you on your way, that is why we have listed the 10 ‘Best of Ribera del Duero’ on the Dutch Market for you!
A lot preceded this top 10. On August 5, part of the writing team of the wine platform Dutch Wine Apprentice, led by Cees van Casteren (MW), tasted 70 Ribera del Duero wines blind, resulting in a top 20 Best of Ribera del Duero. After this pre-selection, it was time for 70 consumers and wine lovers to taste this selection at Boutique Hotel de Witte Dame in Abcoude and they passed on their favorite wines. Niels Aarts, wine writer and founder of Dutch Wine Apprentice, provided a number of masterclasses so that the wine tasters also learned all the ins and outs of this wine region. The result is the Top 10 of the Best of Ribera del Duero that you will find below.
Enjoy tasting!
Without further a due we are announcing the overall top 10 of the wines, as selected by the Dutch consumer audience. You can also find their respective importers for the Dutch market and indicative pricing for the wines.
Wijnhuis Slot Kleverkamp – Het Deventer Wijnhuis, €79,50
2. Bodegas Arzuaga, Arzuaga Reserva 2020
Wijnimport J. Bart, €48,50
3. Bodegas Rodero, Carmelo Rodero Reserva 2020
Heisterkamp wijnkopers, €42,00
4. Bodegas Balbás, Balbás Cosecha 2019
Wielinga Wijnimport B.V., €60,95 (click here for our review of Balbás’s Ancestral)
5. Bodega Valdeviñas, Mirat Reserva 2009
Wijnhuis Slot Kleverkamp – Het Deventer Wijnhuis, €59,50
6. Viñedos y Bodegas García Figuero, Figuero Tinus Cosecha 2019
Wijnhandel Huub Oostendorp , Arisz et al. , €275,00
7. Bodegas Pinea del Duero, 17 Cosecha 2020
Bevenco B.V., €60,00
8. Real Sitio de Ventosilla, Pradorey Élite Cosecha 2021
Frans van den Hoogen Wijnkopers, €32,50
9. Bodegas Peñalba López, Torremilanos Coleccion Reserva 2018
D-Vine, €64,00
10. Bodega Tr3smano – Lagar de Proventus, Tr3smano Cosecha 2021
Hanos, €48,65 (click here for our article on Tr3smano)
The ‘Best of Ribera del Duero ’24 Competition’ is an initiative by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero, organized in collaboration with Pitch PR and Dutch Wine Apprentice for the Dutch market. We extend our gratitude to D.O. Ribera del Duero, Pitch PR (with special thanks to Iris Jungerling), and all participating Ribera del Duero wineries for their invaluable support and involvement.
A heartfelt thanks also goes to MW Cees van Casteren for his expert assistance during the wine pre-selection process.
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