What are the differences between Ribera del Duero and Rioja wines?

If you are a lover of good wine, it is very likely that at some point you have wondered about the differences between the wines of Ribera del Duero and Rioja. It is truly surprising how two wine regions barely two hours apart by car, both using the famous tempranillo grape as their main variety, and sharing many aging and preservation techniques, can produce such distinct wines.

In this article, we will give you some clues to understand the reasons behind this divergence so that you can impress your family and friends with your expertise.

Three factors that explain the differences in the wines

First, the so-called terroir, which consists of the type of grape used, the climate, and the characteristics of the soils where the vines grow. Second, the cultural practices in the vineyard. Third and lastly, the winemaking practices carried out by the wineries.

Let’s start with the easy part. As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the winemaking techniques in both Ribera del Duero and Rioja are quite similar. The Crianzas, Reservas, and Gran Reservas of both regions share the same production and aging times of 24, 36, and 60 months, respectively, including the minimum time each category must spend in barrels. Therefore, the differences are not significantly found in the work carried out in the wineries.

If we focus on the cultural practices in the vineyard, we might also conclude that there is no major difference in the work performed on the vines in each region. Although the timing of these tasks, including the harvest, may vary due to the climates of Ribera del Duero and Rioja, the truth is that the viticulturists of both areas carry out similar tasks.

Where do the differences between Rioja and Ribera del Duero lie?

All paths, therefore, lead us to terroir.

Although both Rioja and Ribera del Duero have fundamentally continental climates, there are subtle differences between the two regions. Rioja’s lower altitude, the shelter provided by the Cantabrian and Demanda mountain ranges shielding it from cold northern winds, and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which brings higher rainfall, all soften the character of Rioja wines.

Its milder average temperatures promote the growth of finer grapes, resulting in more elegant, complex wines that are less astringent but also lighter in color and fruit concentration due to their lower density.

The soil also plays an important role in Rioja. Although the denomination of origin is divided into three subzones (Rioja Alta, Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja), and Rioja Alavesa), the soils are predominantly clay-based, with calcareous (Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa) and ferrous (Rioja Alta and Rioja Oriental) variations. These soils generally impart elegance, volume, and moderate alcohol levels to the wines.

Ribera del Duero: The “rock & roll” terroir

Ribera del Duero’s terroir is much more extreme. Its winters are longer, its summers feature significant temperature fluctuations, and it has lower average rainfall compared to Rioja. This results in smaller grapes with higher tannin concentration, giving the wines a bolder character, deeper color, and more intense fruit concentration.

Moreover, Ribera del Duero covers a much larger area than Rioja, including the provinces of Burgos, Valladolid, Soria, and Segovia, which leads to greater soil diversity.

While it is often said that the soils near the Duero River are predominantly clay-based and those farther away are more calcareous, Ribera del Duero’s soils are primarily loamy, meaning that clay, sand, and silt coexist in almost all areas of the region, though their proportions may vary. A loamy-sandy vineyard, for example, will contain all three components, but with a higher sand content compared to silt and clay.

Excellent example of soil diversity: PRADOREY

At PRADOREY, we have a wide variety of soils in our vineyards. For example:

The terroir that produces iconic wines like Élite or Buen Alfarero at Hoyo Dornajo is loamy-clay soil with high limestone content, preserving the fruity character of the wines while adding elegance.

La Mina, a vineyard close to Hoyo Dornajo and home to our Reserva Finca La Mina, is set on much poorer, loamy-sandy soil, promoting the longevity of the wines produced here.

Finca Valdelayegua, perhaps due to its proximity to the Duero, Gromejón, and Esgueva rivers, provides a beautiful summary of Ribera del Duero’s characteristics, with its flat vineyard area featuring loamy-sandy soil and its hillside sections featuring loamy-clay soil. This diversity makes PRADOREY Finca Valdelayegua arguably the “most Ribera” of all our wines.

As with any generalization, exceptions exist. There are areas in Rioja Alavesa with soils quite similar to those in Ribera del Duero, just as there are areas in Ribera del Duero that resemble parts of Rioja. For example, our Pago Salgüero vineyard features predominantly loamy-clay soils with a notable limestone presence in the upper slopes and a significant ferrous component in the lower parts. As a result, our Adaro wine reflects the essence of Ribera del Duero while also displaying an elegance that could be compared to other regions.

Differences in grape variety

We are left with the type of grape, which is, of course, clearly influenced by the climate and soil. Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and Rioja can be compared to two siblings raised in different environments. While they may share similarities, they will always be different. For instance, the former exhibits black fruit aromas and more minerality, while the latter shows more red fruit and herbaceous notes.

But there’s more. In both regions, in addition to the Tempranillo grape, other varieties are authorized by the Regulatory Councils of their respective designations of origin. In Ribera del Duero, it is common to find wines blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, or Garnacha. Even Albillo, a white grape variety, can be used to make red wines.

In Rioja, Garnacha also plays a significant role, but Mazuelo, Graciano, and Maturana Tinta are especially notable. These three varieties are highly acidic and have immense aging potential.

You’ve likely heard or read that Rioja wines are more age-worthy than those from Ribera del Duero, better suited for producing Reservas or Gran Reservas, wines that showcase the elegance of the region. It’s no coincidence—the presence of Mazuelo, Graciano, and Maturana in these wines plays a key role. However, everything comes at a price, and for this reason, many people find Ribera del Duero Crianzas, and even its famous Robles, more drinkable despite their intensity compared to their Rioja counterparts.

The magic word in the world of wine is balance. Today, Ribera wineries are experimenting with vineyard techniques to reduce the pH of their wines to achieve greater longevity, as well as with winery techniques to better control their wines’ tannin structure, aiming for greater refinement. El Retablo by PRADOREY is an excellent example of this progress.

On the other hand, advances in viticulture and enology in Rioja are enabling the region’s century-old wineries to produce very traditional wines alongside more modern styles, with higher color intensity and extraction levels, showcasing the region’s remarkable winemaking diversity.

Never before have Ribera del Duero and Rioja produced such high-quality and versatile wines as they do today.

The diversity of both regions highlights many of the finest qualities of the current Spanish winemaking scene. We are living in a true golden age where, as consumers, we can only benefit. Why choose when you can enjoy both? And, in any case, if we may offer a piece of advice, choose the one you like best. After all, the fascinating world of wine is meant to be enjoyed.