Arribes del Duero, a young appellation located in unique surroundings

31/08/2010

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“The Duero flows through the domains of Zamora, stretching and spreading itself over its plains, even more so when it enters the province of Salamanca, which it separates from Portugal, and onwards to where the Tormes surrenders its waters to the greater course, between Fermoselle and Villarino; there plummeting deep into the bowels of the Castilian plateau only to emerge again in Portuguese territory. Tearing asunder the plateau with deep wounds, exposing its granite bowels to the light, rock-strewn foundations of the rugged Castile uplands.” This is how philosopher and writer, Miguel de Unamuno describes his passion for this picturesque landscape which now forms the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, and in whose heart this region, with its long winemaking tradition, not only evolved but went on, in 2007, to gain status as DO Arribes del Duero.

Despite its youth, DO Arribes del Duero is one of the oldest regions in the Iberian Peninsula to have registered winemaking activity, dating back to the Roman colonisation, although according to another hypothesis, it could date even further back to Phoenician times, as vine cultivation might have been introduced into the region from the commercial port of Porto. Located in unique surroundings characterised by the grandeur of a landscape made up of sheer valleys, through which the Duero and its tributaries flow, this appellation covers a 140-km long narrow strip of land to the southwest of the province of Zamora and the northwest of Salamanca, where the River Duero acts as a frontier with Portugal. In total, 14 bodegas are endorsed under the wing of this quality wine label, Arribes del Duero, eight in Salamanca and six in Zamora, spread over 44 municipalities.

This wine region’s most eye-catching aspect is its majestic granite outcrops and crags, which form the backdrop to the River Duero and is tributaries: Águeda, Huebra, Tormes and Ucles. The vines within this landscape are cultivated on the terraces in the valleys formed by the rivers, as well as on the peneplains, the narrow stretch of land which is parallel to the course of the river. The shallow soils are acidic, with a sandy texture and abundant granite, slate and quartz rocks. The slate found in the sub-soil acts as a thermostat, storing heat during the day and gradually releasing it at night, which benefits the ripening cycle of the grapes.