Spain > Castilla y Leon > Bierzo
Rural and remote, the Bierzo region sits at the western edge of the great, dry meseta of Castilla y Leon, but also on the cusp of green Galicia. Its primary grape, Mencia, is found nowhere else in the world. As recently as the beginning of the 21st century, the region had scant enological history and absolutely no cachet on the international market.
Bierzo was accorded DO status in 1989 and in the past few years has experienced a surge in popularity thanks to the high-profile winemaker Alvaro Palacios of Priorat fame establishing vineyards there.
Bierzo's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has a profound effect on its overall climate, with average temperatures during the growing season much cooler than in Castilla y Leon's more inland areas, making it rather mild. The Cordillera Cantabrica mountain range in the north provides the vineyards with adequate shelter, ensuring the the local Mencia grapes achieve optimum ripeness to produce lively, fruity and often intense red wines.
Many of the vineyards here are planted in picturesque terraces along the steep slopes of the Sil river valley, some with such marked inclination that mules are used for the harvest. The soils range from alluvial near the riverbed, to rocky and slate-filled on the higher slopes. This favours the Mencia vines and helps them to produce wines with a distinct mineral character. The wines tend to be lighter in terms of alcohol and more refreshing than those from other parts of Castilla y Leon.
The Mencia grape is the star here, where it occupies nearly two-thirds of the vineyards. A variety cultivated almost solely in north-western Spain (Valdeorras, Monterrei, Ribeira Sacra). Mencia ripens early, by mid-September, and has only recently come into the spotlight as a quality, potential-laden grape variety. When properly made, it produces complex wines that are fruity but still subtle and expressive, with silkiness to balance their earthiness.
Although known as a wine that shows very well young, Bierzo producers are proving that with the right balance of oak it can also age quite well. Other grape varieties planted in the region include Garnacha Tintorera, Godello, Doña Blanca, Malvasia, Palomino and, in experimental quantities, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo.
Common designations include White (using Doña Blanca, Godello and Palomino), Joven (young, minimum 70% Mencia), Rosado (minimum 50% Mencia), Crianza (a minimum of 6 months in oak barrels and 18 months in bottle prior release) and Reserva (a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels and 24 more in bottle; whites and rose are aged for 6 months in oak plus 18 months in bottle).
Premier Producers
Sources:
- Travel + Leisure
- wine-searcher
- Cellar Tours
- CRDO Bierzo
- Image: uva mencia by Wikipedia
Rural and remote, the Bierzo region sits at the western edge of the great, dry meseta of Castilla y Leon, but also on the cusp of green Galicia. Its primary grape, Mencia, is found nowhere else in the world. As recently as the beginning of the 21st century, the region had scant enological history and absolutely no cachet on the international market.
Bierzo was accorded DO status in 1989 and in the past few years has experienced a surge in popularity thanks to the high-profile winemaker Alvaro Palacios of Priorat fame establishing vineyards there.
Bierzo's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has a profound effect on its overall climate, with average temperatures during the growing season much cooler than in Castilla y Leon's more inland areas, making it rather mild. The Cordillera Cantabrica mountain range in the north provides the vineyards with adequate shelter, ensuring the the local Mencia grapes achieve optimum ripeness to produce lively, fruity and often intense red wines.
Many of the vineyards here are planted in picturesque terraces along the steep slopes of the Sil river valley, some with such marked inclination that mules are used for the harvest. The soils range from alluvial near the riverbed, to rocky and slate-filled on the higher slopes. This favours the Mencia vines and helps them to produce wines with a distinct mineral character. The wines tend to be lighter in terms of alcohol and more refreshing than those from other parts of Castilla y Leon.
Although known as a wine that shows very well young, Bierzo producers are proving that with the right balance of oak it can also age quite well. Other grape varieties planted in the region include Garnacha Tintorera, Godello, Doña Blanca, Malvasia, Palomino and, in experimental quantities, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo.
Common designations include White (using Doña Blanca, Godello and Palomino), Joven (young, minimum 70% Mencia), Rosado (minimum 50% Mencia), Crianza (a minimum of 6 months in oak barrels and 18 months in bottle prior release) and Reserva (a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels and 24 more in bottle; whites and rose are aged for 6 months in oak plus 18 months in bottle).
Premier Producers
- Descendientes de J. Palacios (Petalos)
- Prada A Tope
- Viñedos y Bodegas Pittacum
- Bodegas Estefania (Tilenus, Manium)
- Viñedos y Bodegas Dominio de Tares
- Luna Beberide (Paixar)
- Bodegas y Viñedos Castroventosa
- Bodega del Abad (Carracedo, Gotin)
Sources:
- Travel + Leisure
- wine-searcher
- Cellar Tours
- CRDO Bierzo
- Image: uva mencia by Wikipedia
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