12 Days of Albariño with Rias Baíxas

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12 Days of Rías Baixas Albariño

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A Rias Baixas Holiday Season Rías Baixas kicks off the holiday season with tree lighting celebrations in the city squares.

There’s no better way to toast the lighting ceremony than with a glass of sparkling Albariño in hand!

Wine: Sensum Winery: Bodegas As Laxas

(Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain)

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Holiday Lights at the Wineries Throughout the season, holiday lights twinkle in the cities and villages of Rías Baixas. “Every year we decorate the winery inside and out with Christmas lights, which people can see from miles away.”

Katia Alvarez, Winemaker, Martín Códax.

Wine: Martín Códax Albariño Winery: Martín Códax

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Artful Nativity Scenes On the first Sunday of December a hand-crafted nativity scene of 4,000+ carved figures opens in the Valga area of Pontevedra, drawing visitors from all over.

Wine: ValmiĂąor Winery: Adegas ValmiĂąor

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Mercado de Nadal and As Dúas Marías The Mercado de Nadal (Christmas Market) across from Alameda Park in Santiago de Compostela welcomes visitors with delicious smells of fresh churros, twinkling lights and the open arms of the As Dúas Marías (Two Marías).

Wine: Robaliño Winery: Señorio de Rubiós

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Wine: Leira Pondal Winery: Pazo Pondal

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Seafood, Seafood, Seafood “Every Christmas season we celebrate with a grand seafood dinner in the cellar. Our feast continues until dawn. Leira Pondal pairs perfectly with every dish.” Olivia Hernández, Managing Director, Pazo Pondal

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Turrón de Chocolate “My favorite Holiday tradition has always been Turrón de Chocolate. A local chocolatier produces this chocolate nougat dessert with our La Val wine!”

Chema Ureta, Chief Winemaker, Bodegas La Val

Wine: La Val Winery: La Val

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O Apalpador In rural Galicia, ‘O Apalpador’, a gingerbearded mountain giant, descends into the local villages. He comes to check if children have eaten enough during the year and to leave them chestnuts, treats and gifts. “As our children eagerly await Apalpador, we indulge in seafood delicacies such as goose barnacles paired with Albariño!”

Mathias Lange, Bodegas Granbazán

Wine: Granbazán Etiqueta Ámbar Winery: Bodegas Granbazán

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Bo Nadal, Feliz Aninovo

All over Rías Baixas, people exchange traditional holiday greetings in Gallego: “Bo Nadal, Feliz Aninovo” translates to Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Wine: Eidosela Winery: Bodegas Eidosela

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12 grapes, 12 wishes

“At midnight on December 31, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes and make a wish with each one. Then we toast to the year ahead with a glass of Condes de Albarei.� Adrian Nadia, Condes de Albarei

Wine: Condes de Albarei Winery: Condes de Albarei

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Open Doors

“On the last day of the year, it is a winery tradition to open our doors to family and friends at noon to say farewell to the past, and welcome the New Year.

Everyone enjoys holiday foods paired with Attis.” Angeles Mosteiro, Attis Bodega y Viñedos

Wine: Attis Winery: Attis Bodega y Viñedos

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Queimada

Queimada, a traditional Galician punch made with an Albariño-based aguardiente, is shared to ward off bad spirits and bring good luck. ”At Veiga Naum, we gather at the winery to celebrate our accomplishments of the previous year and raise a glass to the New Year.” Emilio Sojo, Winemaker, Veiga Naúm Wine: Veiga Naúm Winery: Veiga Naúm

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Roscón de Reyes Families and friends in Rías Baixas gather to cut the Roscón de Reyes - the 3 Kings Cake - which honors the coming of the three kings and marks the end of the holiday season. “As always in Spain, the most important single ingredient for any holiday celebration is family!” Andrew MacCarthy, Export Director, Bodegas Castro Martín Wine: Castro Martín Winery: Bodegas Castro Martín

12 Days of Albariño

in Rías Baixas

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