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This old winemaking area has recently found a second lease of life, evolving rapidly since winning DO status in 1980. The terroir, which lies on the high northern meseta, spreads out spaciously on gently rolling land between towns that played an important part in Spain's medieval history.
Extensive replanting of the area's native grapes, in particular Verdejo, has led to a new generation of fresh, young, very fruity wines that are now beginning to be aged.
Today nearly all bodegas are fitted with stainless-steel winemaking equipment, and, to prevent oxidisation, they use mechanical harvesting at night and inert gas-blanketing of the grapes from vineyard to press. At the same time winemakers here continue to make the most traditional Spanish Sherry-style wines - such as oxidised rancios and generosos, which are aged under a layer of natural yeast (flor) - from Palomino grapes planted after phylloxera destroyed the vines.
Since august 2008, red and rose wines are also included under this DO.
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Fact File
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Address
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C/ Real , 8
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47490 Rueda
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Valladolid
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España
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DO Established
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1980
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Last modification
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12 de agosto de 2002
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Telephone
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+34 983-868-248
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Fax
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+34 983-868-135
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E-mail
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comunicacion@dorueda.com
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Internet
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www.dorueda.com
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Vineyards:
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Area under vine(Has.)
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9.944ha. of which white 9.141ha. and red 803ha.
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Altitude of vineyards
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700 - 800 m
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Soil types
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Poor in organic materials, with gravels, and with good ventilation and drainage
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Principal grapes (w)
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Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura and Palomino Fino
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Principal grapes (r)
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Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha
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Climate:
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Max. summer temp.
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29,8ºC
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Min. winter temp.
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-0,4ºC
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Average rainfall
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400 liters.
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Average sunshine
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2.600 hours anually.
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Production:
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Maximum crop
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Verdejo y Sauvignon Blanc: 8.000Kgs/ha (low bush) and 10.000kg/ha (trellising on wires)
Viura and Palomino: 10.000 Kgs/ha
Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha: 7.000 Kgs/ha
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Production 2006
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46,214,983 kg
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Production 2007
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53,499,959 kg
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Production 2008
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56,349,267 kg
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Wine type and alcohol content
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White
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Rueda Verdejo, Wine elaborated with 85% minimum of Verdejo Varietal. Dry wines with a minimum alcohol content of 11,5º
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Rueda: Wine elaborated with 50% minimum of the permitted red varietals. Second fermentation on the bottle, and a minimum bottle ageing of at least 9 months. Minimum alcohol content of 11,5º.
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Rueda Sauvignon, Wine elaborated with a minimum of 85% of Sauvignon Blanc. Minimum alcohol content of 11º.
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Rueda Dorado Wine liquor by oxidative ageing. Minimum alcohol content of 15º.
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Rueda Espumoso Sparkling wine obtain by the traditional method of second fermentation on the bottle, with bottle ageing of at least 9 months. If they are Sec or Semisec, they are elaborated with a minimum of 50% Verdejo varietal; if they are Brut and Brut Nature, elaborated with at least 85% Verdejo. Minimum alcohol content of 11,5º.
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Reds and Rose
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Rosado, Espumoso Rosado, Tinto joven, tinto Crianza, Tinto Reserva, Tinto Gran Reserva.
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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54
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Total Exports 2006
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6.693.326 bot.3/4 l
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Total Exports 2007
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6.626.925 bot.3/4 l
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Total Exports 2008
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7.962.727 bot.3/4 l
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