La résurrection des vignobles du Duero en Espagne//The revival of the Duero vineyards in Spain

Abstract

The Duero vineyards were famous in the Middle Ages and exported their wine to the Cantabric Coast, but in the 19th century and the early 20th, they suffered a severe recession. From 1980, they have experienced a remarkable revival, thanks to the dynamism of many firms and to the creation of three guaranteed geographie indications (Denominaciones de Origen) : D.O. Rueda, D.O. Ribera del Duero y D.O. Toro. Major investments were required for the construction of modern wine cellars (bodegas) and for the plantation of large vineyards. The conducting method for planting «espaldera» makes mecanization and motorization easier. In spite of the introduction of few foreign vines (sauvignon, cabernet sauvignon, merlot...), the greatest part of the wines are produced with the grapes of traditional varieties, verdejo for the white wines, tinto fino (tempranillo) for the red wines. Duero vineyards preserve their originality and escape the present standardisation of the wines. Thanks to this good management, the Duero wines have both national and international consumers. This favourable result has been an incentive for other vineyards of the Duero area to improve quality and to ask for new «Denominaciones de Origen».