Ribera del Guadiana

Ribera del Guadiana is a Denominación de Origen in Extremadura, in southwestern Spain near Portugal. Its six subzones extend across two provinces and include Cañamero and Tierra de Barros in Badajoz. The regulations define the production area and permitted grape varieties. A wine can use a subzone name only when all its raw material comes from that subzone and the wine is made there. The legal profile calls for clean, bright, balanced wines with frank varietal aromas. Red Crianza requires 24 months of ageing, including at least six in oak; Reserva requires 36 months, with at least 12 in oak; Gran Reserva requires 60 months, including at least 18 in oak.