Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Nickname: The Dark Tinto Enjoy it when: For deep, cosy evenings — roast lamb, slow pots bubbling away, cold nights when you want a red with structure and soul. Bottle Tale: Rippa Dorii comes from the northwest of Rioja, in Ribera del Duero’s high, rugged plateau. The vineyards sit between 800–900 metres above sea level, a place of scorching summer days and sharply cold nights, giving Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) its trademark power and freshness. Dark fruit, deep colour, firm tannin — all shaped by altitude, wind, and the vast temperature swing. The wine is made in partnership with local growers and cellar teams in Peñafiel, who specialise in mountain-style Ribera: concentrated fruit, careful extraction, and ageing in a mix of French and American oak to round the edges without losing tension. It’s a bold yet balanced expression — blackberry, black plum, warm spice and a clean, cooling finish that only high-altitude fruit can deliver. Let it linger: Decant briefly. Pour with lamb chops, chorizo stew, mushroom stroganoff, manchego, grilled peppers or any deeply savoury dish. It’s the red you open when you want warmth and weight without heaviness. Passport: Hometown: Ribera del Duero (northwest of Rioja), SpainGrape: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo)Winemaking: Crafted with high-altitude growers in PeñafielStyle: Dark, structured, mountain-fresh, subtly spicedBest mood: Fireside evenings, cold nights, deep-flavour meals
