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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.
Feature written by Brian
Murdock, author of the book "Let's
Open a Bottle". You can
contact Brian at
murflo@eresmas.net.
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