DO Bierzo – A valley filled with Mencía

LOCATION AND HISTORY

Bierzo is found in the northeast of the Castile and León region, specifically in the province of León, which also neighbours Galicia and Asturias. Geographically, the area is ideally located between the coast and the inland, which has caused the colonisation of several cities and towns throughout history. The greatest expansion of vineyard was bound together with the development of the medieval monasteries, particularly the Cistercians. Ten centuries ago, the wine held the very prominent role in the economic life of the area, under the protection of the Jacobean route.

SOILS

The cultivation area of the DO Bierzo is located in the long and protected Sil canyon, between the Mountains of León and the Cantabrian Mountains, as well as covering the secondary valleys of the tributaries. Geographically, the area is like an island, with its own climate and soils. The vineyards extend over the slopes of the valley, between 450 and 1000 metres above sea level, and are planted on loose, slate-like and alluvial soils, which are reasonably fertile. In the high areas there appears quartzite and slate in the soil with bases of granite and limestone; in the low altitude areas, clay dominates with cobblestone or pebbles and alluvial material.

CLIMATE

The valley has a protected microclimate, which softens the edges of the continental climate of the plateau and avoids the worst of the harsh winter temperatures, as well as preventing the winds. There is lots of sun and less rain than in Galicia, but sufficient for benefitting the crops. This semi-humid climate, accompanied by gentle temperatures, yields excellent results for the vine.

TYPE OF GRAPE

The production of the protected wines must be done with the allowed grapes used exclusively for this. This way, amongst the red varieties we find Mencía and Garnacha Tintorera, whilst the white varieties are made from Godello, Doña Blanca, Palomino and Mavasía. Almost 75% of its production is directly connected to the MencÍa grape, that’s precisely why one of its mottos is ‘Bierzo, the soil of Mencía’.