Bierzo (Bierzo) – a Spanish wine region in the Northwest of Castile and Leon. Famous red wines from Mencia.

Wine region of Bierzo is composed of two parts:

• Bierzo Alto (Upper Centre). Mineral-rich mountainous area, where terraced vineyards scattered on the slopes.
• Bierzo Bajo (Lower Centre). The green-covered plains.

Once these lands were inhabited by the Romans mined here tons of gold, and traces of their presence still can be found scattered in different parts of the region.

The river Forces was and remains a major transport artery, although the region is spread out and other smaller rivers. A local proverb says: “Minho brings fame, and brings her water.”

The status of DO was rated Bierzo in 1989, but the popularity came to him recently through purchases of local vineyards winemaker Alvaro Palacios (Alvaro Palacios), famous for its wines from the Priorat region.

The proximity of the Atlantic ocean has a significant effect on the climate of Bierzo where the average temperature during the growing season much lower than in deeper in the mainland part of Castile-león which makes it quite moderate. The average rainfall is 720 mm.

At the same time, the Cantabrian Cordillera reliably cover the region from the North, allowing the vines Mencia variety to achieve optimal ripeness and produce the light alive, bright and fruity wine.

The second most important red grape, Bierzo is Garnacha, but is used mostly in blends.

The soils of Bierzo are different from other parts of Castile-Leon high content of slate and granite. It favors the vines Mencia, making them capable of producing a characteristic “mineral” wine. Local wines are less alcoholic and fresher than wines from other parts of Castilla-Leon.

White wine from Bierzo do too. Mostly of the varieties Blanca Dona (Dona Blanca), godello (Godello), and Palomino (Palomino).

Pink also occur. They by law must not be less than 50% Mencia.

Like many Spanish wines, wine from Bierzo is divided into categories according to exposure, including time spent in oak barrels.

• Crianza (Crianza) in Bierzo must be aged at least two years, six months of which in oak barrels with a volume of 1000 L.
• Reserva (Reserva) three years of aging, of which one year in the barrel.

Source: wine-searcher.com Illustration: classicalwines.com