📍 Extremadura

Extremadura is an autonomous community in western Spain made up of two provinces, Badajoz and Cáceres (1,053,345 inhabitants, 2025); the main river of the wine zone is the Guadiana. Its DOP Ribera del Guadiana (founded in 1996, ratified in 1999) has six sub-zones and 40,976 ha — third in Spain by area; about 88 % of sales are red wines.

In the Tierra de Barros and Ribera zones the climate is Mediterranean subtropical: average annual temperature 14–18 °C, rainfall 400–800 mm. The Cañamero sub-zone is mountainous, with rainfall of 600–1,100 mm. Average altitude rises from 289 m in Ribera Baja to 849 m in Cañamero, and Tierra de Barros has reddish «barros» clays with lime.

The sub-zones and their municipalities according to the specification: Tierra de Barros — 36, Ribera Alta — 39, Montánchez — 27, Ribera Baja — 11, Matanegra — 9, Cañamero — 5. Yields are up to 12,000 kg/ha (84 hl/ha) for whites and up to 10,000 kg/ha (70 hl/ha) for reds. Red Crianza is aged 24 months, Reserva 36, Gran Reserva 60. Varieties include Tempranillo and, among whites, Cayetana Blanca, Pardina, Alarije, Borba, Beba and Chelva. From 1986–1990 the six zones had Vino de la Tierra status; the DO was created on 05.08.1996. IGP Extremadura covers both provinces. The municipality of Almendralejo lies in the DOP Cava zone.

Why it matters to you. Extremadura is not only white wines: red dominates DOP sales in 2023/24. Spanish Cava is also partly made here: Almendralejo is in its zone.