Monterrei (DO)

Monterrei ( galizisch.: Mountain of the King) is a Spanish wine region in the northwestern region of Galicia and is close to the Portuguese border. The same fortress towers over the vineyards today. Around 660 hectares under vines located at altitudes 400-450 m lie on both sides of the river Tamega and its tributaries to Verin in the northwest of the province of Ourense. In the valley of Tamega and its tributaries usually outweighs fertile alluvial soil from the era of the Miocene, found in the deep slopes, usually severe, sometimes sandy soils

Main areas spread across two sub-regions:

  • Val de Monterrei in the valleys of the Tamega and its tributaries with vines in the sub-districts of Castrelo do Val ( with the municipalities Castrelo do Val, Pepín, Nocedo ) Monterrei Albarellos Infesta, Monterrei and Vilaza ) Oimbra ( Oimbra, Rabal, O Rosal and San Cibrao ) and Verin ( Abedes, Cabreiroá, Feces de Abaixo, Feces de Cima, Mandin, Mourazos, Pazos, Queizas, A Rasela, Tamagos, Tamaguelos, Tintores, Verin, Vilela and Vilamaior do Val ).
  • Ladeira de Monterrei in slopes and higher altitudes in the sub-districts of Castrelo do Va Gondulfes and Servoi ) l, Oimbra (As Chas and A Granxa ) Monterrei ( Flariz, Medeiros, Mixos, Estevesinos and Vences ) and Verin ( Queirugas ).

Since 25 November 1994, the area has the status of a DO., And since January 1996, the Supervisory Authority shall be used. A total of more than 3000 hectares of land for the cultivation of quality wine are permitted. The rules will be strictly controlled in general. Currently (2005 ) there are 16 wineries and approximately 580 part-time winemakers who legwork these wineries.

See also the article Viticulture in Spain.

The climate

Valdeorras is one of the warmest and driest area in Galicia, with an Atlantic climate, however, is greatly influenced by the continental inland climate. The average annual temperature is 11.5 ° C. and fall in the average here 650-700 mm of rainfall per year.

The wines

Within the vineyard all wine types are permitted. It lead the white grape varieties with a total of over 60 percent. International attempts to take advantage of the current celebrity of white Godello grape which had almost disappeared by phylloxera. The sparkling wines of this rare species were discovered in the area Valdeorras and also constitute an important factor. Other white varieties are Treixadura, Doña Blanca, Monstruosa and Palomino.

The red wines are vinified primarily from the varieties Mencia and Bastardo and partly also with Garnacha, Gran Negro and Merenzao (also called María Ardoña ) blended.

As the rootstock variety Rupestris de solder is generally used.

The regulatory authority

Compliance with the production rules are monitored by the local regulator, the Regulatory Board.

  • Regulating Body D.O. Monterrei
  • Avda. Luis Espada, 89 bajo
  • E 32600 Verin / Ourense
Denominación de Origen Varietal Valdeorras (DO) Palomino (grape) Grand Noir de la Calmette
580664
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