Learn more about 1996 Spain
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A very good wine vintage throughout Spain. Unexpected cloudy and cooldays in August in Rioja propelled the region towards an uneven harvest and this was somewhat compounded by the rain that fell in September. However, it remained clear and dry throughout the harvest in October. The vintage can be summarised as a very good rather than great.
Ribera del Duero produced a massive crop of wonderfully rich, deeply coloured, harmonious wines. The weather was unsettled in the first half of the season and this resulted in a long maturity cycle which has produced gloriously complex wine. Alejandro Fernandez, maker of Pesquera, said the harvest was excellent:
