Ribera del Jucar is a wine region in Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain. It is bordered to the north, west and south by La Mancha and to the east by Manchuela. Like Manchuela, it was once part of the huge La Mancha DO zone, but was awarded its own independent DO title in 2003 and is now administered by its own Consejo Regulador (wine authority). The name Ribera del Jucar means 'banks of the Jucar', the river that hugs the region's eastern border.
Ribera del Jucar sits on a rolling plain, 2460ft (750m) above sea level. Vines sit side-by-side with olives, fruit orchards and cereals in the terracotta-colored earth. The topsoils are made up of loose pebbles from the old river bed of the Jucar. These provide good drainage, another essential ingredient for viticultural quality. Clay sits below these stones.
The climate in Ribera del Jucar is transitional, falling between the continental effects of the central Iberian plateau to the west and Mediterranean influences from the east. The average temperature here is 75F (24C) in summer and 41F (5C) in winter. Cool summer nights allow for a long ripening period. The Jucar River also plays a moderating role, making overall conditions much milder. This feature contributed to the decision to create a DO separate from La Mancha, which is extremely hot and arid.
Red wines dominate Ribera del Jucar's production. Its cooler climate lends itself to wines of higher quality than those produced in neighboring La Mancha, the primary reason for splitting from the older designation. Lighter yields from Cencibel (Tempranillo), the main grape grown here, mean more high-quality, elegant expressions of the variety, with plenty of fruit character. Bobal, a native variety, is also particularly well suited to the location. Other prominent red-wine grapes include French imports Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, while Moscatel and Sauvignon Blanc are the main white-wine varieties.
Ribera del Jucar has an aging classification system. Wines bearing the term crianza must be aged for two years before release, with a minimum of six months in oak barrels (American or French). Vinos tradición Jucar (traditional Jucar wines) are bottled after four months on oak and typically exhibit toasted vanilla notes.
Most producers in the region have formed cooperatives, although a couple of private bodegas are also in operation. Exports of Ribera del Jucar wines are on the rise, as their reputation for consistency and value-for-money increase.
