Castilla y Leon information
Designation of Origin Bierzo
The most important Red grapes: Mencía
White grapes: Doña Blanca y Godello
Others Red grapes: Garnacha
White grapes: Palomino
Types of wine Rosés, whites, young reds, Crianza reds, Reserva
and Gran Reserva reds
The proximity of El Bierzo to Asturias and Galicia make it an
area with its own characteristic vegetation, different to the
rest of Castilla y León. It contains a microclimate where vineyards
coexist with fruit trees, pastures and immense oak and chestnut
forests.
The wines with Denominación de Origen Bierzo are founded on the
grape variety, "mencía". This is the leading variety
of this area, known as the "Volcán del Noroeste" (north-western
volcano) of Spanish viticulture.
In the last few years, the red wines of El Bierzo have gained
in quality and its young reds and rosés reach the market boasting
excellent structure and aromatic components. White wines made
from the "godello" and "doña blanca"
grape varieties, though in smaller quantities, complete the range
of wines, which also includes Crianza and Reserva reds, a category
achieved by more and more reds from El Bierzo.