September approaches and the time of harvest and vintage. After passing through one of the sunniest summers we remember the rains of recent weeks were essential to address the grape harvest with optimism. The grapes, their selection process and collection and processing of the broth up one of the most beloved ritual in wine production areas of Galicia. Today we approach the Albariño grape and the Designation of Origin Rias Baixas.
Albariño grape variety is the most known and appreciated white grape community. It also occurs in Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Catalonia and northern Portugal. A point of difference with other white grapes is flavor that captures quite appreciable fruit nuances, such as apricot; It is also very appreciated your point very fresh acidity in mouth. This sweet quality and freshness make albariño wine appeals to a wide audience and makes the appropriate pairing for a lot of dishes from the classic fish and shellfish of Galicia to the Japanese, but we must remember that with meats It is also delicious, especially with a beef steak or sirloin.
It is unclear how this strain came to Galicia. A story that linked the introduction of the Albariño variety from the Rhine Valley by German monks had, but this theory is ruled out. There is evidence that certify that the grapes used to produce wine from the twelfth century, one of the times of splendor of Galicia so drink albariño is to remember, somehow, the flavors that are part of the gastronomic history of Galicia from seven years , almost nothing.
This grape is the cornerstone of the wines produced in the Rias Baixas.
But how this appellation is bounded?
The appellation of origin Rias Baixas expands different territories of Galicia, called subzones:
Val do Salnés subarea, comprising the municipalities of Cambados, Meaño, Sanxenxo, Ribadumia, Meis, Vilanova de Arousa, Portas, Caldas de Reis, Arousa, Barro, O Grove and A Illa de Arousa.
Condado do Tea Subzone: municipalities of Salvaterra de Miño, As Neves, Arbo, Crecente, Salceda de Caselas and Ponteareas. Also part d she Valeixe sub parishes in A Caniza, and Guillarei, Moors, and Baldráns Caldelas de Tui in the municipality of Tui
O Rosal subzone: spans the municipalities of O Rosal, Tomiño and A Guarda, in more places d southwestern different municipalities.
Soutomaior subzone, limited to the municipality of Soutomaior.
Ribeira do Ulla Subzone: municipality of Vedra and the parishes of Rumille, Carcacía, Iria Flavia and Herbon Padron. In elmunicipio Teo are the parishes of Oza, Teo, Lampai, Vaamonde, Raris, Vilariño and Reis. in Boqueixón, Codeso parishes, Pousada, Oural, Ledesma, Donuts and Sucira. In the municipality of Touro, the parish of Bendaña. In A Estrada, Arnois parishes, Couso, Cora, Oca, Santeles, Paradela, Berres, San Miguel de Castro, San Xurxo de See, Ribeira, Riobó, Santa Cristina de See, Baloira and Santa Marina de Barcala. The parish of Cira, in Silleda and parishes Camanzo, Gres and Añobre in Vila de Cruces.
Variety and Wine:
There are seven types of protected white wines in the DO Rias Baixas:
Rias Baixas Albariño: varietal wine made entirely from grapes of the albariño variety.
Rias Baixas Condado do Tea: is produced with a minimum of 70% Albariño grape and treixaduralaborado with grapes from Albariño and treixadura varieties by 70% or more.
Rosal Rias Baixas: is obtained from at least 70% of the albariño grape varieties and loureira.
Rias Baixas Salnés: made from albariño grapes at least 70%, with the remainder from other varieties, all produced in Val do Salnés subarea.
Rias Baixas Ribeira do Ulla: made from albariño grapes at least 70%, with the remainder from other varieties, all produced in the sub Ribeira do Ulla.
Rias Baixas: made from white varieties recognized, produced prepared, bottled and labeled in any of the sub mentioned before, using at least 70% of preferred varieties of grapes.
Rias Baixas Barrica: from wines defined above, in the preparation process remains in oak containers for a minimum period of three months.
Preferred grapes for wines of the Rias Baixas are, of course, grapes Albariña, white and white Caiño Loureira Treixadura. Torrontés and Godello are allowed.
The Scala group is proud to belong to the subzone of Ribeira do Ulla and producing some remarkable wines of the region. Do not hesitate to visit the Pazo de Arretén to find out how we do it.
