Although the winegrowing origins of the Ribera del Duero region date back to Roman times, it was not until 1975 that a group of local wine producers, aware of the huge qualitative leap they had taken in recent years, started giving serious thought to establishing a Denominación de Origen for the region’s wines.

2 bottles of Austum 2014. Bodegas Tionio.

Bodegas Tionio is the result of the Raventós family’s successful venture in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and of the exquisite care they take over their vineyards, 18 hectares of which are planted with Tinta Fina (also known as Tempranillo) and two with Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Austum 2014 is made exclusively from grapes grown at an altitude of 850 metres on the vineyards planted with this variety in Peñafiel. It has been matured to perfection for 6 months in American and French Allier oak barrels at least three years old, resulting in a tasty, balanced wine with good acidity and a pleasant moreish sensation.

2 bottles of Arroyo Reserva 2009. Bodegas Santiago Arroyo.

This is a complex, powerful Reserva designed to last and be enjoyed at leisure. Made wholly from Tinta del País grapes from its Sullerto and Cornesa vineyards, it was subsequently matured to perfection for 24 months in French (60%) and American (40%) oak, followed by a further 20 months in the bottle before being released onto the market. The result is an elegant, complex and enveloping wine with soft, velvety tannins.

2 bottles of Viña Mayor Crianza 2011. Bodegas Viña Mayor.

Viña Mayor Crianza 2011 has been aged for 12 months in Bordeaux-style barrels of French and American oak and is made from a careful selection of Tempranillo grapes belonging to an Excellent-rated vintage – that of 2011, one of the best in the past decade in the D. O. Ribera del Duero. Indeed, this wine was recently awarded the Gold Medal at the Berliner Wine Trophy competition and the International Wines and Spirits Contest (CINVE), both held in 2014.