We find this wine region in the northwestern part of Spain. It forms the upper western corner and borders Portugal in the south and Pais Vasco in the east and the natural border of the Cantabrian mountains in the southeast. It is a region very rich in culture, with stunning natural sights. The Albariño grape has put the region on the wine map of the world. Today it is referred to as ‘The white wine of Spain’. Much like Rioja is ‘The red wine of Spain’. Still apart from that, there is a lot more to discover!
As stated above the region is most known for a typical white variety, the Albariño. This grape produces very fresh and crisp aromas, always with a touch of sea salt. No surprise that wine coming from this grape will be a perfect companion with fish dishes. The origin of this grape remains unknown, but DNA tests has ruled out that it would be the same as the Riesling grape. Other important white varieties are the Treixadura, Godello, Caiño Blanca, and the Palomino Fino (locally called Jerez).
For the red varieties we find a lot of Mencia, along with Sousón, Caiño Tinto and the more known Garnacha and Tempranillo.
Due to the location next to the Atlantic Ocean, the winters will be very mild with almost no temperatures below freezing point. The summers are mild as well, it gets warm but not hot.
There are five different sub-regions in Galicia, and each sub-region refers to the same named appellation.
- DO Rías Baixas
- DO Ribeira Sacra
- DO Ribeiro
- DO Monterrei
- DO Valdeorras
Rías Baixas is the most well-known DO and is also the sub-region that put the entire region of Galicia on the map. The wines made from Albariño are world-class. More and more wine makers will age the Albariño on the lees, creating a more complex wine with longer aging potential.
The Rias Baixas will further be divided into Ribeira do Ulla, O Salnes, Sautomaior, Condado do Tea, O Rosal. The soil in all these regions will be very similar, containing lots of granite. The climate does differ from region to region. Albariño will always be the number one planted variety, but some regions will also have Godello and Treixadura planted.
The sub-region of Ribeira Sacra will concentrate on the production of Godello for the white, and Mencia for the reds. Mostly granite will be found in the soil and around certain rivers we find a concentration of slate. The grapes grow on very steep slopes, ensuring maximum sun exposure. This leads to the grapes to dry quicker after a heavy rainfall. Galicia is one of the wettest regions in Spain, but also one of the greenest.
In Ribeiro the focus will lie on the Treixadura grape, either made as a monocepage or blended with Torrontes, Godello, or Albariño. Beautiful sparkling wine is made here as well, with Treixadura and according to the Méthode Traditionelle. Upcoming red wines are mostly made of Caiño Tinto and Mencia.
Monterrei is the warmest region of Galicia, with full-bodied red blends made of Mencia and Merenzou. For the white, Godello is the most popular. This can develop some full-bodied results as well. The soil will contain mostly clay, slate, and granite.
At last, Valdeorras reaches stunning results with the Godello and Mencia grapes. It is one of the oldest wine growing regions in all of Galicia, with alluvial soils coming from the river Sil.
The wines of Galicia of course go perfectly with the local culinary exquisites like Pulpu a la Gallega or Percebes. The climate is mild, nature is green, the sea is blue, and the people are so hospitable! Galicia has it all.
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