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The Challenge of Acidity in Ribera del Duero

October 24, 2024 Vitis House

When someone asks me how real climate change is, I always respond, “talk to a winemaker.” Ribera del Duero DO, known for its bold yet elegant Tempranillo wines, is just one of many regions facing challenges due to climate change-particularly when it comes to preserving the acidity that keeps wines fresh and balanced. With the region’s naturally warm climate, overripe grapes can easily result in wines that feel flat, missing that essential vibrancy.

To tackle this, even the most prestigious wineries are exploring higher-altitude vineyards in non-traditional areas. These elevated sites benefit from cooler temperatures, which help the grapes maintain their acidity. The stark temperature difference between warm days and cool nights (known as diurnal variation) slows down ripening, allowing the grapes to develop brighter acidity. Not only does this solve the acidity challenge, but it also boosts the wine’s aging potential, letting more complex and nuanced flavors shine through over time.

Top producers are embracing this shift, with a focus on regions like the province of Soria and the northern edges of Ribera del Duero. These areas, sometimes nearly an hour away from the big-name wineries, bring new possibilities and diverse terroirs into the mix. In fact, the move to higher-altitude plots isn’t just a workaround for acidity-it’s redefining the region’s identity while safeguarding the quality of Ribera del Duero wines for the future.

Because of this, a growing trend is emerging with more attention on small, highly specific sub-regions-what they call parcelas de viñas (vineyard parcels). These small plots, often with very old vines, showcase distinct terroirs with naturally higher acidity. In some cases, the grapes are so exceptional they’re bottled on their own. In others, they re blended with other grapes to lift the overall acidity in a wine, maintaining the authentic balance and freshness of Tempranillo in the region.

Are these changes for the better? So far, yes. Unlike other regions that have had to add new grape varieties to cope with climate pressures, Ribera del Duero is holding steady. For now, the DO will continue allowing its traditional varieties: Tinta del País (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Garnacha Tinta, and Albillo Mayor (used in both reds and whites).

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