Galicia Flashcards
Rias Baixas DO Basic Info
200,000hL / yr (up from 3,500 in 1991).
4,000ha vines
5,500 growers
170 wineries
Bodegas Martin Codax largest producer, a coop working with 300 growers
25% of sales exports (up from 19% in 2000). USA, UK
Rias Baixas History
After phylloxera much planted with hybrids and high yielding Palomino
70’s and 80’s incentives to grow indigenous grapes and modernize led to sig improvements in quality.
these quality wines at an affordable price became popular in Spain and on export.
Rias Baixas Climate
Most westerly DO bordering the Atlantic
Maritime climate
Atlantic moderates weather for warm summers and mild winters.
High annual rain at 1,700mm which falls throughout the year. Fungal disease and rain at harvest are issues and lead to sig vintage var.
The soils, sand over granite bedrock, are free draining ensuring roots aren’t sitting in water.
Albarino
Over 95% of production in Rias Baixas.
Well suited to the damp climate. Thick skins make it less prone to rot.
Early to mid ripening and with warming climate and improved viti can ripen in most years.
High acid with med minus to med body, med alcohol, apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach, sometimes floral. Good to very good with some outstanding. Mid to prem.
Usually a single varietal wine. Others are permitted (Loureira, Treixadura, and Caino Blanco).
Producers: Pazo de Senorans and Palacio de Fefinanes.
Rias Baixas Sub Zones
5 Non Contiguous sub zones
Val do Salnes is oldest with greatest concentration of plantings and wineries. Directly on coast so coldest and wettest. Highest acidity.
O Rosal likes along River Mino as it reaches the ocean. On the border with Portugal and Vinho Verde. it is often blend of Albarino with Loureira, Treixadura, Canino Blanco. South facing slopes on the north side of the river so warmer than Salnes. and slightly less acidity.
Condado do Tea is inland from O Rosal hence even warmer. Riper sytle, more peach, less acid. Easy to drink when young.
Ribeira do Ulla is newest and makes inexpensive and mid priced.
Soutomaier is the smallest.
Rias Baixas Viti & Vini
Pergola (Parral) remains popular often with granite stone supports in the humid environment.
Originally allowed for growth of other crops below. Benefit now is that the higher training allows for greater circulation. this reduces likelihood of fungal diseases.
Many larger now use VSP which allows for mechanization.
Winemaking to preserve primary. May be macerated for a few hours to enhance flavor intensity and texture. Cool fermentation in stainless. Some may do partial MLF in cool years to reduce malic acid (not for buttery notes).
Inexpensive are released early. More expensive stored on the lees (Sobre lias) for 1 - 2 years (some longer). Usually not stirred (or only occasionally). Mainly adds body and texture.
Few ferment in oak. could be old and large for texture to some new for vanilla.
Ribeiro DO
Just to the east of Rias Baixas.
Maritime climate, but slightly more sheltered. Temperate conditions and high rainfall.
Treixadura most planted and either varietally made or blended with the other Galician whites.
Ferment and mature most expensive in oak.
Ribeira Sacra DO
Further inland following the valley of the River Mino northwards and River Sil eastwards from their confluence.
Mainly continental climate but can have some Maritime influence depending on the site.
Many vineyards on very steep and deep valley sides at various altitudes and aspects.
Stony slopes have good drainage and conduct heat during the day. These make viticulture very labor intensive.
Mencia is the most planted red grape. Red cherry and raspberry, med body and tannin, med plus acid. Mid price, fresh early drinking style.
Valdeorras DO
Located up the River Sil. Most easterly of the Galicia DO’s.
Continental climate. But still 700 - 1,000mm rain.
Vineyards at 300m on a range of soils.
Good and very good Godello. Citrus and stone fruit, some herbal and wet stone. Med plus acid. Prem are often fermented in oak for texture and toasty spicy complexity.
Mencia for reds but very little.
Monterrei DO
South of Ribeira Sacra on the border with Portugal.
Inland and sheltered from the ocean by the Sierra de Larouca mountains. Continental with hot summers and relatively low rainfall.
Mostly inexpensive and sold in bulk. Some good quality Mencia usually riper style than Ribeira Sacra. And some Godello of quality.
DO’s
Rias Baixas Ribeiro Ribeira Sacra Monterrei Valdeorras
