DO Rueda is found on high plains rising to between 700-870 metres (2,300 to 2,800 feet) above sea-level. Winters are cold and very long; springs are short, and late frosts are frequent. In contrast, summers are hot and dry, occasionally interrupted by an unwelcome thunderstorm. These conditions mean that the vine’s roots are forced to seek out water deep in the subsoil, more than in other regions of Europe.

The vines bud late, with pruning often lasting into March or early April. Rainfall levels are very low, with a minimum of 300 litres and a maximum of 500 litres per year.

However, the marked difference between day and night temperatures is a key factor in helping to maintain the balance between the grapes’ sugar levels, brought about by the sun, and excellent acidity, maintained by the cool nights. Annual sunshine can be as high as 2,600 hours, which would be excessive if it were not for the late ripening of the grapes. Rueda is geographically in what would be classed as a Mediterranean zone, thanks to its latitude. However, high altitudes mean that the region also has a Continental influence.