Extremadura is a rural region in southwestern Spain and has long been considered to be one of the most underdeveloped too. Ironically, cities like Mérida were among the most influential in all of Iberia during Roman times, but that was a long time ago. It has a winemaking tradition which is equally ancient, but as a modern producer Extremadura still is in its infant stages. In the 1990s, members of six minor regions banded together to form a macro region called D.O. Ribera del Guadiana. These now make up the sub-zones which are Cañamero (white), Montánchez (white), Ribera Alta (red/white), Ribera Baja (red/white), Matanegra (red/white), Tierra de Barros (white/red). There's a bit of everything out there in terms of quality (most of it on the ordinary side, I’m afraid to say), but the prices are tough to beat. With the coming of each year prospects improve. Ribera del Guadiana produces all kinds of wine, but its future will mostly likely depend on the success of its reds. Also available are wines from the minor region V.T. Extremadura, which does well especially in the red wine category.