What is a roble red wine?

Roble red wine: The young wine with the flavor of a Crianza You’ve probably heard someone order a “Roble” when referring to a red wine. And chances are, you’ve also wondered what makes this type of wine special and where its name comes from. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: Roble wines have revolutionized Spanish winemaking, especially in Ribera del Duero, the region where this category was born. Here, we’ll tell you about their main characteristics and why they’ve become so successful. Get ready, because we’re about to surprise you. What is a Roble red wine? A Roble is a young wine with a light touch of oak aging. Under this concept, it could be considered a “semi-Crianza,” which explains many of its virtues: it retains the appeal of young wines but also has a hint of oak that makes it smoother and slightly more complex. There is no consensus on the minimum time a young wine must spend in barrels to qualify as a “Roble,” but the general standard, adopted for example by the Regulatory Council of the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin (the first to define this term), is at least three months. However, barrel aging

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

What is a Verdejo white wine? Here’s what you need to know

The Verdejo grape Verdejo is a white grape grown in specific regions of Spain, known for producing some of the finest white wines with a designation of origin. This grape is the result of a cross between the castellana blanca grape and the traminer variety. Although it is cultivated in various Spanish regions, Castilla y León is the largest producer of Verdejo. Here’s an overview of its characteristics: Verdejo grapes are small in size, both in terms of individual berries and clusters, and they turn yellowish when ripe. Their skin is smooth and thick, while their flesh is slightly translucent, revealing large seeds when held up to the light. This variety thrives in dry climates and even in relatively infertile soils. Although the yield is moderate, Verdejo is one of Spain’s most important and emblematic grape varieties. An interesting detail: Verdejo grapes are best harvested at night. The reason? To ensure they arrive at the winery at an optimal temperature—between 10°C and 15°C (50°F to 59°F). This minimizes oxidation in the must, preserving the wine’s quality and characteristics. Regarding pruning, experts recommend a mixed and long pruning style, as it has proven to deliver better yields and adapt well to

What are the differences between a young wine, crianza, reserva, and gran reserva?

One of the most common questions we receive from the thousands of visitors who come to our winery each year is: “What distinguishes a young wine, gran reserva, reserva, and crianza?” Generally, we understand that the latter are considered to be higher-quality wines. However, it’s true that these classifications are often based on the production and aging time of the wine. How Wines Are Classified The first thing to know is that wine is not classified the same way everywhere in the world. For example, in the Southern Hemisphere, in countries such as Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia, wines are often categorized by grape variety. It’s common to find Chilean Carménère, New Zealand Pinot Noir, Australian Shiraz, Argentine Malbec, or Sauvignon Blanc from virtually every country in the so-called “New World.” An intriguing case is France, where wines are classified based on the quality of the soils in which the vineyards are located. Burgundy is an extreme example of this, but without a doubt, Bordeaux has the most original classification system. The division of soils is complex, and each sub-region within the Bordeaux AOC has its own classification. The most famous classification was commissioned by Napoleon III

Copas de vino con diferente colores del vino

The colors of wine

A good wine leaves Its mark on the nose and palate… but first, on the eyes. The colors of wine are key to that all-important first impression. That’s why today we’re not going to talk about the olfactory or gustatory phases of our wines, but rather their visual appeal. Welcome to Ribera del Duero: our young reds range from deep purple to violet hues, leaning toward garnet tones in Crianza wines. Our Reserva and Gran Reserva reds take on brick-red shades. As for our whites, they exhibit clean hues that span from straw yellow to golden tones, sometimes even displaying a brilliant old gold color. And the rosés? They shine with strawberry pink shades, occasionally with hints of currant pink and delicate violet iridescence in the thinner layers. But where do these colors and nuances come from? To uncover the answer, we’ll need to delve into some basic chemistry. Don’t worry—it’ll be quick and easy. The Colors of Wine and a Touch of Chemistry The color of wine, as well as its evolution over time, is determined by its chemical nature, particularly its phenolic compounds (substances with antioxidant properties capable of preventing oxidative damage). These are pigments found in most

Organic wine: everything you need to know

Organic wines are those produced in an environmentally respectful and sustainable manner. Here, the use of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides is notably absent. The procedures of organic agriculture are followed, meaning all fertilizers must be strictly organic: biomass generated by the vineyard, vegetable compost, or manure. The final result is a wine free from any artificial traces, showing utmost consideration not only for the land where it originated but also for the consumer. Moreover, like other non-organic wines, it is rich in polyphenols —beneficial antioxidant molecules for our body— and promotes rural development. How to know if a wine is organic In an organic wine, whether red, white, or rosé, the implementation of techniques that respect natural resources and the environment is mandatory. This pertains to viticulture and how we treat our vines. But it also relates to the entire subsequent production process in the winery. Aside from the previously mentioned fertilizers, the entire sowing and harvesting process is usually manual, and as with other wines, damaged grapes are excluded during the harvest. If in doubt, two very recognizable logos appear on the bottle’s label: the logo of the autonomous community where it is made, represented by a sun over

Harvest 2023 at Pradorey: Reflections

2023 HARVEST AT PRADOREY CLIMATOLOGY In the world of wine, we often say that the most beautiful aspect is that each vintage allows us only to aspire to achieve the best that nature offers at the end of each cycle. Last year, around this time, we spoke of 2022 being a highly challenging harvest. As for 2023, it has been even more challenging! We began with two frosts in April and May, which led to a loss of 50% of the production. This was followed by rains in late May and early June, which in some cases were extreme and challenging to manage. Additionally, the notorious DANAs further complicated the scenario. PRODUCTION In total, just over 1,200,000 Kg were harvested from the 158 plots that make up our vineyard, resulting in an average yield of approximately 2,500 Kg per hectare. THE WINES There is a famous Latin proverb attributed to Virgil, “fortune favors the brave,” and perhaps that’s why we started the harvest very early. We were conscious that challenging harvests don’t allow for shortcuts, and bold decisions are essential. It is also often said that good crews are genuinely known in storms. In the face of adversity, the Pradorey

copa de vino de vino aliado cardioprotector

Wine as a Heart Health Partner: From France to Burgos…

Wine and Health The pairing of these two words is unsurprising, isn’t it? Wine has often been touted as healthful when consumed in moderation, beneficial for the heart if limited to a glass, a potent weapon against diabetes and cholesterol: the secret of the long-lived. But how true are these claims? Let’s not succumb to generalities and clichés; health is a serious matter that demands precision. The French Paradox… Years ago at Pradorey, we began to delve into the work of Roger Corder, a professor at Queen Mary University of London, author of “The Wine Diet” translated into over 25 languages, and a keen researcher of the so-called “French paradox”. This refers to the puzzling nutritional fact that the French population, despite a diet rich in animal saturated fats, has a remarkably low mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases compared to the rest of Europe. In 1994, Serge Renaud, a research director at INSERM in Bordeaux, postulated in an article for the prestigious Lancet journal that moderate wine consumption could counteract the impact of these saturated fats.After years of research, Professor Roger Corder discovered that this French paradox wasn’t uniformly observed throughout France. Instead, it was more pronounced in regions where

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED US?

PRADOREY AND COVID-19 As we write these lines, the best grapes of this 2021 harvest are slowly arriving, promising to be a historic vintage in Ribera del Duero in terms of quality. Alongside them, a large group of wine tourists who did not want to miss out on this wonderful celebration that is the harvest, treading grapes with joy and masks, because even though it seems, and we believe, that the worst is behind us, these times still call for precautionary measures. Watching the scene, one cannot help but think that the old normal, the real one, is returning to our lives. Looking back, without for a moment forgetting those who are no longer with us and all those who have suffered, we cannot help but celebrate that in our daily lives, just like in the vineyard, life always finds a way. More than a year and a half have passed since this nightmare in the form of a virus began. Over 18 months in which we have lived through situations we never thought we would experience, many of which have probably changed many of our habits and routines forever. Economics is perhaps the most social science, making it impossible

The aging of wine with Criaderas and Soleras

There are many ways to make wine, but only one method can transcend time, allowing the soil, vineyard, and grape to take center stage. The aging system of Criaderas and Soleras has this unique ability. Oxidative aging vs. biological aging Aging is undoubtedly one of the most critical factors in determining a wine’s quality. When done correctly, it enhances the wine’s organoleptic properties, resulting in greater complexity and character in the final product. From an enological perspective, there are two main types of aging: oxidative, which takes place in the presence of oxygen, and biological, which occurs in its absence. A third type combines both methods to produce highly specific wines, such as amontillados and palo cortados. Static aging vs. dynamic aging Another way to classify aging depends on the wine’s movement during its time in the barrel. Static aging keeps wine from a single vintage in the same barrel for a period defined by the winemaker. In contrast, the Criaderas and Solera system is dynamic, blending wines of different ages to maintain consistent characteristics over decades. This method ensures the wine reflects the contributions of every harvest since the creation of its solera system. The criaderas and solera system

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