D.O. Cigales
D.O. Cigales stretches along the banks of the river Pisuerga, between the provinces of Valladolid and Palencia, in Castilla y León. It is an area with a long winemaking tradition and a rich history.
In Dueñas, in the palace of the Counts of Buendía, Ferdinand the Catholic disguised himself as a muleteer to meet Isabella and arrange their wedding. He also returned there after being widowed to marry Germaine of Foix. Cigales witnessed historic encounters, such as the clashes between the guardians and favourites of Alfonso XI “the Just”, the reconciliation of Peter I “the Cruel” with his illegitimate brothers, and that of John II with the Infantes of Aragón.
The wines of Cigales became famous in Spain and abroad. When phylloxera devastated French vineyards, Cigales wines were even exported to Bordeaux to make up for the shortage of wine in France. In 1888, this region was already producing more than 15 million kilos of grapes, which shows its historical importance.
The main variety is Tempranillo, known locally as Tinta del País, accompanied by Garnacha; among the whites, Verdejo and Albillo stand out. Cigales is famous for its rosados and claretes, fresh and fruity, and also makes young and oak-aged red wines of great character.