Ribera del Duero

The highway heading east out of Valladolid hugs the Duero River all the way to the end of the Ribera del Duero wine region in Soria province. The wineries start right away. Converted monasteries and gleaming modern structures sit surrounded by fields of vineyards. Blink and you’ll miss a famous name: Mauro, Vega Sicilia, Pingus, Pesquera. The most famous region title goes to Rioja, but this is where the legends of Spanish fine wine bcome real. For the highest wine region in Spain it’s surprisingly flat country, interrupted by castles and old watchtowers. The towns cluster along the Duero where they can, dominated by structures that seem older than the towns themselves. Roast lamb is the classic dish here, considered a perfect match for the powerful local reds. Explore a wine list, or better yet a winery, and you’ll soon find more than power here. Whether from famous names or small vignerons, today’s Riberas can be elegant, restrained, and absolutely divine.