Tierra del Vino de Zamora is a DO wine region located around the historic city of Zamora in Castilla y Leon, northern Spain. It lies on the banks of the River Duero, to the west of Toro.
Tierra del Vino de Zamora was awarded DO status in 2007, although winemaking has long been an important part of the region. Medieval records tell of great wines coming from the 'land of wine' (Tierra del Vino de Zamora).
Tierra del Vino de Zamora has a continental climate, with dry, hot summers and cold winters. Average temperatures reach 85.3F (29.6C) in summer and fall to 33.1F (0.6C) in winter. The sun shines for more than 2800 hours a year on average, which is tempered by the zone's average altitude, sitting at 2460ft (750m).
Soils are alluvial and deep, with good drainage, which supports the growth of the bush vines (some of which are 60 years old) and lends character to the local wines.
Traditional Spanish varieties are authorised to be grown here by the local Consejo Regulador wine authority. These include Malvasia, Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc), Verdejo, Albillo, Godello and Palomino for white wines, and Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.
Tierra del Vino de Zamora's wines are classified as:
- Crianza: Wines that have been aged for a minimum of two years, including six months in oak barrels.
- Reserva: Wines that are at least three years old, with a minimum of 12 months' oak aging.
- Gran reserva: Five-year-old wines with 18 months of oak aging.
