This lushly beautiful wine region is covering about 3,000 square kilometres within 23 municipalities. This region, which was formerly a Roman mining area, is holding a promising future as the newest wine hotspot of the country.

Now, let’s see all about this brand new taste of Spain here…

After centuries of popularity in the wine market, the Bierzo region faced a massive blow during the 19th century due to the phylloxera invasion.

Then, the viticulture re-emerged slowly through the grafting technique and was able to recover its significance in terms of quality wines. It was during the year 1989 that the region got its DO status.

The climate here is soft rather than mild and is being regulated by the humidity. The natural barrier Sierra de los Ancares is calming down the force of the storms, thereby producing a continental type of climate.

The region is receiving an annual rainfall of 721 mm. The vineyards of this region are characterized by fragmentation and are located at the heights of 450 to 800 meters above the sea level.

The vineyards in the El Bierzo are the most beautiful ones in the country with several of them being planted on the terraces along the slopes of the Sil River Valley.

As such, the soils in these vineyards are found to be a mixture of quartz and slate. They are found to be slightly acidic with the pH nearing to 5.5.

The viticultural area of Bierzo consists of two parts, which are namely:

Bierzo Alto

This is otherwise called as high Bierzo and is found to be a region with mountainous terrain and rich in minerals. Here, the vineyards are located on the slopes of the mountains.

Bierzo Bajo

This is otherwise known as low Bierzo and is found to be a broad and verdant plain.

Wines from El Bierzo

Spanish Red Wine - Spanish White Wine - Spanish Rosé Wine - Spanish Dessert Wine

This is the star variety of the region and is occupying almost two-thirds of the region’s vineyards. The Cordillera Cantábric mountain range is providing the Mencía grape vineyards with the adequate shelter, thereby ensuring that they achieve optimum ripeness thus being able to give intense and fruity red wines.

Other important wine grapes of El Bierzo

• Garnacha Tintorera
• Doña Blanca
• Godello
• Palomino

Experimental varieties

• Tempranillo
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Malvasía
• Chardonnay
• Gewürztraminer

DO wines of El Bierza

As such, DO wines of El Bierza are produced in various styles.

• Young whites
• Young reds
• Aged wines
• Rosé wines
• Crianza wines
• Reserva wines

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