Grape Varieties. Red.

The Denomination of Origin Rueda, widely acknowledged for its white wines, also makes red wines.

This area has a historical tradition of red grape vineyards, especially before the devastating plague of phylloxera in the late 19th century, which might also have led to the virtual disappearance of red vines , leading to the absolute predominance of white varieties.

The area’s innovative and enthusiastic winemakers have recovered the red wine tradition, and, the D.O. Rueda aldo produce red and rosé wines, in all their different categories —Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva—, with a clear predominance of the Tempranillo variety, also known in the region as “tinto del país” (local red wine) or “tinto fino” (fine red wine).
The varieties authorized for winemaking have adapted perfectly to the area and demonstrated their qualities for the elaboration of top-quality wines.

• Tempranillo
  Medium-large, cylindrical, compact, winged cluster. Small, round, blue-black berries with a soft pulp. Large pentagonal leaves, with a dark green, almost black front and a velvety back.
• Cabernet Sauvignon
  Small, cylindrical, compact, sometimes winged clusters. Small, round, very dark blue berries, with a slightly herbal flavour. Medium-sized leaves, orbicular-pentagonal in shape, with sharp sinuses.
• Merlot
  Medium, long, conical clusters with little compactness. Medium, broad, elliptical, dark blue berries. Large to medium pentagonal leaves, with a dark green front and a scratchy back.
• Garnacha
  Very compact, winged, pyramidal, trunk-like medium cluster. Medium, round, dark violet berry, with a juicy, colourless pulp. Medium, pentagonal leaves with very faint lateral sinuses.