D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
Avda. Constituci贸n, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. Le贸n. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE The region of BIERZO is located in the northwest of the Province of León. Laying on a tectonic depression surrounded by mountain ranges (Mountains of León and Mountain chain of Cantabria), Bierzo is a main valley with lateral tiny valleys where the Sil river and its streams flow. This generates a clear Atlantic influence with both Mediterranean and Atlantic climatic advantages: smooth temperatures, abundant sunshine and good water retention. The depression is covered by Miocenic and Quaternary sediments (mainly sand and clay), whilst the edges show primary slate as well as other minerals. With a vineyard extension of approximately 4’200 hectares (10’380 acres), mainly old bush vines, Bierzo is a valley where small plots grow from 400 metres up to 800 metres above sea level. The main red grape grown in Bierzo is Mencía followed by Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet). Then, as far as white grapes are concerned, we may find Godello, Doña Blanca, Palomino and Malvasía. Depending on where they grow (type of soil, altitude,...), the characteristics of the grapes will be totally different and therefore the vineyard selection is a key factor to produce different wines with the same variety. An infinity of treasures waiting to be discovered.
Avda. Constitución, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. León. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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LOCATION
D.O. BIERZO GUIDE VINEYARDS
Avda. Constituci贸n, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. Le贸n. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
GRAPES
MENCÍA
MENCIA
Main varietal in Bierzo, Mencía is also grown in Galicia and Portugal (where it’s called Jaen). It is one of the oldest varieties of the Iberian Peninsula (introduced by the Romans). For many years, Mencía was believed to be a Cabernet Franc clone, but after genetic investigations it turned out to be false. It was also believed that Mencía was not suitable for oak ageing, but its great ageing potential was finally discovered and it’s been now many years that skilled winemakers proved this to be false. Mencía is characterized by medium sized clusters with a purplish blue colour, a rather thick skin and a soft pulp. It’s an early budding variety sensitive to late frosts and hail, as well as mildew, oidium and botrytis. However, it’s fertile, vigorous and may adapt to different soils and altitudes. Its blue colour and its rather thick skin together with the great longevity of the vines help getting an extraordinary concentration of polyphenols. It has a high sugar content, but a rather low acidity, specially if overripe. Wines produced with Mencía are extremely fresh and therefore easy to drink. They usually have intense fruity aromas (such as redcurrant, raspberry,…), delicate floral notes and spicy hints combined with nuances of the terroir where it grows (that can be mineral or herbal, depending on each plot). When aged in oak, we get a more complex and elegant bouquet, as the fruity and floral aromas are harmoniously combined with smoky and spicy notes (tobacco, oak,…).
GARNACHA TINTORERA
More correctly known as Alicante Bouschet, this variety grows in various areas throughout Spain. Probably introduced in Galicia for its quality and high productivity. It’s fertile and vigorous with high yields and a long cycle (early budding and late ripening) requiring climates with many hours of sunlight. Highly susceptible to frost, mildew, excoriosis and millerandage as well as moderately to botrytis (grey mould), but not particularly sensitive to oidium and drought. Its main characteristic is its colouring ability and therefore is usually blended with other varieties.
GARNACHA TINTORERA Avda. Constitución, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. León. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
GRAPES
GODELLO Godello has its origins on the banks of the river Sil in Galicia and is the indigenous grape of this region as well as Bierzo (as it grows along the same river). It is the most widely used white grape variety in the appellations of Bierzo, Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra, although we may find it in other regions. Godello is an early budding and ripening variety, fertile, but sensitive to late frosts, berry moth, oidium, mildew and botrytis. Therefore damp soils are not the best conditions. It is most suited to grow on dry soils, such as hillsides of medium fertility. The berries are yellow with green tinges, small to medium sized with an elliptical shape. The clusters are small, conical and compact. Its main characteristics are its freshness and fruitiness (citrus and apple). Godello usually produces delicate, elegant and balanced wines.
GODELLO DOÑA BLANCA Doña Blanca has its origins on the banks of the river Sil in Galicia and is the indigenous grape of this region as well as Bierzo (as it grows along the same river). However, it also grows in Extremadura and Portugal (where it’s called Moza Fresca). Doña Blanca is not an early budding variety and therefore late frosts are usually not a problem. It’s fertile, but sensitive to berry moth, mites and botrytis. The berries are yellow with green tinges and tiny spots, medium sized with an elliptical shape. The clusters are big and compact. Its main characteristics are its freshness and fruitiness (citrus and lemon balm). Doña Blanca usually produces crisp, fruity and silky wines.
DOÑA BLANCA Avda. Constitución, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. León. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE VINEYARDS
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
CLIMATE
Characteristic microclimate of Bierzo with milder temperatures than the neighbouring areas. The surrounding mountains and its lower altitude (not as high as the Plateau of León) protect from late frosts. However, harvest is usually challenging, as it normally starts one month earlier than in the rest of Castilla y León or La Rioja. We get the most important temperature differences in winter and summer with an average temperature of 12.3ºC. During the cold months the average minimum temperature is 3.6ºC and during the warmest months the maximum average temperature is 23.6ºC. The annual average rainfall is 721 mm (per m2). (basically in winter) with little humidity fluctuation during long periods, going from sub-humid to humid or to dry sub-humid, but never with extreme changes that could be harmful to the vines.
Avda. Constitución, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. León. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
SOILS
In Bierzo the soil lays down on components dating from the Miocene covered with a layer dating from the Quaternary. Soils with a complex tilt resulting in a hilly landscape. The conditions for vine growing are very good thanks to the inclination and the free drainage, that quickly eliminates any extra quantity of water, which is a very important point in this area with a rather high rainfall. Most soils could be classified as alfisols, inceptisols and entisols.
Inceptisol
Alfisols: Usually characterized by an argillic, a kandic or a natric horizon with a base saturation of 35% or greater. Arable soils with water content adequate for at least three consecutive months of the growing season. Inceptisols: Soils of relatively new origin characterized by having only the weakest appearance of horizons or layers produced by soil-forming factors. They are usually arable with appropriate control of erosion or drainage. Entisols: Soils characterized by the absence (or almost absence) of horizons (or layers of the soil-forming processes). Shallow and highly resistant to extreme conditions. Most soils have a silty loam texture, which helps a perfect draining as well as moisture retention in the deeper layers, so that water is always available when necessary. When dry, the consistency is rather hard. Most soils are stony (stones and pebbles of regular size), usually not rocky, apart from a few exceptions. The colour goes from dun (dry) to dark dun (wet). Moderate acidity composition with a pH close to 5.5 without carbonate, which is characteristic of a humid climate. We get high quality grapes with a high concentration thanks to the soil poor in organic matter (1%), maximizing quality instead of quantity. We should emphasize, however, the special characteristics of the vineyards higher on the slopes facing south and west. The composition of the soils is a mixture of thick elements, quartz and slate. In such extreme conditions, the yields are very low, but with an amazing quality and incredible concentration. The primary aromas, characteristic of the Menc铆a grape, together with mineral hints (mostly slate) of the terroir, are extremely intense in wines produced with grapes of those exceptional plots.
Entisol Avda. Constituci贸n, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. Le贸n. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
Avda. Constituci贸n, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. Le贸n. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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SOILS
D.O. BIERZO GUIDE APPELLATION Even though Bierzo has always been an important viticulture region with many growers and wineries, such as Vinos Guerra, which is one of the oldest Spanish wineries (founded in 1879), the appellation Bierzo is rather recent. 1989 is when the regulations were finally approved and Bierzo established as an appellation. The wines produced according to the regulations of the appellation and approved by the board are then authorized to bear the quality backlabel “D.O. Bierzo”, which classifies the wines as follows:
VI NO JOVEN Unoaked wines with typical aromas of the varietal. The reds are produced with a minimum quantity of 70% of Mencía and an alcoholic degree between 11 and 14 (white wines with an alcoholic degree between 10 and 13).
CR I ANZA Reds with a minimum ageing of 6 months in oak barrels and afterwards another 18 months in bottle (total of 2 years).
R ESE RVA Reds with a minimum ageing of 12 months in oak barrels and afterwards another 24 months in bottle (total of 3 years). Whites and rosés with a minimum ageing of 6 months in oak barrels and afterwards another 18 months in bottle (total of 2 years).
Avda. Constitución, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. León. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
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D.O. BIERZO GUIDE
Avda. Constituci贸n, 106. 24540 Cacabelos. Le贸n. Spain [Phone] +34 987 54 61 50 [Fax] +34 987 54 92 36 www.vinosdelbierzo.com
facebook.com/vinosdelbierzosc
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MAP