Source: https://wines.gal/en/rias-baixas/
The Rías Baixas appellation (La Denominación de Origen Rías Baixas) is a small wine-growing area in north-west Spain, in the region of Galicia. While Rías Baixas has long had a strong wine-growing tradition, passed down from generation to generation, it was only in 1988, with the setting up of the Rías Baixas Wine Regulating Council, that the wine-growing sector began to play a fundamental part in the development of the region’s economy. One of the key factors in its success has been the decision to continue growing the region’s indigenous grape varieties, in particular Albariño, which cope so well with the challenging local climate and impart genuine quality and a sense of place to wines that have a distinctly Atlantic character.
The natural environment
The viticultural medium is characterized by the combination of thermal, water and lighting factors, which can be integrated into indices of greater or lesser complexity. The five sub-zones of the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin (Condado do Tea, O Rosal, Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, and Val do Salnés) are located in areas of the highest quality, according to the Effective Thermal Integral Index, which measures the average potential quality of a wine enclave.
Varieties of native grapes
History has made clear the wine culture in the Galician Rias Baixas. Its commitment to native grape varieties is not trivial, but the result of the winemaking tradition in each of the five sub-zones of this Denomination of Origin (Condado do Tea, O Rosal, O Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla and Soutomaior) which, Once again, they have shown that this type of grape is the one that best suits their climate and soil. To this trajectory, based on tradition, has been added the technological innovation that the sector applies to its wines.
The cultivation of these native varieties demonstrates the existence of a varietal richness capable of personalizing the wines of the five subzones (Condado do Tea, O Rosal, O Salnés, Ribeira do Ulla and Soutomaior) that make up the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin.
The Specification of the Regulatory Council includes as varieties:
White grapes: Albariño, Loureira blanca or Marqués, Treixadura, Caiño blanco, Torrontés and Godello.
Black grapes: Caiño tinto, Castañal, Espadeiro, Loureira, Sousón, Mencía, Brancellao and Pedral.
White varieties:
Undoubtedly, the variety that reigns in this Denomination of Origin is the Albariño. Making a small historical review: In 1975, 200 hectares had been cultivated, while currently 4,000 hectares are already exceeded.
This variety reaches its maximum qualitative expression in the climate and soil of this area. In addition, if we analyze its genetic code, this variety has a great capacity for sugar production, exceeding the volume of alcohol by 12%. Another of the exceptional characteristics of the Albariño is that it maintains a richness in acids that very few varieties get throughout the world, together with a richness in aromatic and sapid components that makes its wines very identifiable.
Another variety, the Loureira, also known as Marquis, is appreciated for its richness in original aromas and flavors reminiscent of the laurel, where it takes its name, and that give a great personality to the wines. Qualities that are not alien to the wine growers and the wineries of this Denomination. Although it is not a variety contemplated for the production of monovarietal wines, because its sugar-acid ratio is not the most optimal (low sugar production and high acids), the prudent contribution of Loureira to plurivarietals based on Albariño allows obtaining of wines of great level and originality, such as those of the sub zone of O Rosal.
For its part, Treixadura, which is the third variety of quality recommended for cultivation, has a natural habitat in the sub-area of O Condado do Tea, although it is not very widespread. It is a variety that brings freshness and acidity to the wines, adding those touches of green apple.
Red varieties:
The red varieties, so far, in the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin have a smaller presence. But the truth is that in recent years the sector’s commitment to incorporate new wines that bring diversity to production, coupled with new market demands, is changing this trend. More and more wine growers incorporate red varieties into their vineyards, attracted by the uniqueness of varieties such as Brancellao, Espadeiro, Caíño tinto, Sousón, Loureira Tinta, Mencía, Pedral and Castañal, which provide originality and differentiation to these red wines. So far these red varieties have been traditionally made in this territory for self-consumption.
***
THE LESSER KNOWN SPANISH WINE ROUTE: RÍAS BAIXAS
Source: https://socialnewsroom.spain.info/the-lesser-known-spanish-wine-route-rias-baixas/
The Rías Baixas wine region is located in the green, rugged, beautiful, historic region of Galicia in north-west Spain. According to local legend, the Rías Baixas (low estuaries) are the traces left by God’s hand after the creation of Earth. The Rías Baixas Wine Route covers the south western part of Galicia, bordering with Portugal.
Covered in lush, rain-soaked greenery, with the Atlantic ocean lapping along some of Spain’s most idyllic, natural beaches, home to a number of buzzing and characterful cities and offering up arguably the best seafood in the country, Galicia is a must see. And as one of the top producing, though lesser known regions for high quality wines, is an important destination on the itinerary of any wine connoisseur.
The Albariño grape
The Albariño grape is indigenous to the Rías Baixas region. Albariño classically displays perfumes of green apple, citrus, melon, peach, pear and apricot. Crisp on the palate, Albariño grapes give your taste buds a vibrant hit with an earthy yet sweet taste.
Harvesting the grape is a gentle process: the grapes are handpicked in plastic 40-pound crates and temperature control plays a large part in the winemaking process. Grapes are distributed in a timely manner to avoid oxidation before being fermented in stainless steel installations. Of the 12 grape varieties permitted by the Rías Baixas, 99% is white (Albariño). The wine is renowned for its crisp flavour, beautifully complements fresh Galician seafood, and rivals wines from the world’s most celebrated white wine-producing regions.
The Rías Baixas is made up of five sub-regions (related to God’s five fingers): Ribeira do Ulla, Soutomaior, Condado do Tea, O Salnes and O Rosal. The following are worth highlighting for those wanting to try some of Spain’s best wines:
O Salnes
O Salnes is the largest sub-region in Rías Baixas, renowned for its white wines made from the Albariño variety of grape. Located on the Atlantic coast, it surrounds the historic town of Cambados. 58% of the Albariño grapes are grown in O Salnes, famous for having the highest quality of wine within the five sub zones of Rías Baixas.
Ribeira do Ulla
The most modern and newest Rías Baixas sub-region is Riberia do Ulla, this area was only registered in 2000 and is composed mostly of alluvial soil. The Ribeira do Ulla is located inland, just southwest of Santiago de Compostela and east of Padrón., a town renowned for firey green peppers. Ribeira do Ulla is as green as the eyes can see, made up of vineyards; the region produced 10% of the Albariño wine.
O Rosal
Located on the Mino River, which joins with the Atlantic Ocean, this sub-region meets the border with Portugal. In O Rosal, vineyards are right on the border of Portugal, giving the flavour a peachy and sweeter taste that the other regions. O Rosal is home to terraced hillside vineyards overlooking the water and the Vinho Verde region of Portugal. It’s easy to fall in love with this picturesque village. The Albariño grape varies in taste from different regions.
A Rías Baixas Wine Route experience provides an opportunity not only to discover the celebrated Albariño wine and visit wineries and vineyards, but to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of this part of the Galician coastline, wide, sandy beaches, pretty villages, and delicious Galician cuisine. For more information on wine tours in the Rías Baixas region, visit: http://bit.ly/2sHHsHy
***
Just what you need to know about Rías Baixas
With 2,600 hectares of vineyards, Rías Baixas is one of Spain’s smallest wine regions. Just 20 years ago, it was virtually unknown outside of Galicia. Now, whenever we think of the white grape Albariño, we associate it to this region.
The region of Galicia is wet, cool and has plenty of coastlines. Fishing is one of the main economic industries. Growing grapes was an afterthought, and the vines are usually trained in a pergola style to allow other vegetables to be planted underneath.
Galicia is located in northwest Spain, bordering Portugal to the South. Celtic peoples lived here for centuries and called it “Gallaeci”, then afterwards ruled by other civilizations, including the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, and many kingdoms of Spain.
The center of Galicia is recognized for its hilly landscape, although the coastline is mostly a series of rías (submerged valleys), which gives the wine region its name. These valleys were drowned with rising sea levels after the ice age. These are divided into the smaller Rías Altas (“High Rías”), and the larger Rías Baixas (“Low Rías”).
There are many, many rivers, with the most important Ulla and Miño or Minho. The Climate is moderate, with a maritime influence, strong rains but relatively dry summers. The rains provide a very green landscape composed of cliffs, hills and rich, dense forests.
Read more
************
