RÃas Baixas (DO)
Rías Baixas is the name of a Spanish wine region in Galicia. Since 1988 the area has the status of a D.O. ( Denomination of origin ). Namesake of the area are up to 100 meters deep and 37 km long estuary bays on the west coast of Galicia. In the regional language, Galego, we denote by a the Rías Baixas coastline in the southwest of Galicia. The Atlantic winds ensure rainfall amounts of up to 1,300 millimeters per year. This is about three times as much as in the Rioja. The average annual temperature is a maximum of 15 ° C. These are ideal conditions for lively and fresh white wines as well as light, fragrant red wines.
Dominating the area under 2,500 hectares area of the white Albariño. In 2002, approximately 79,500 hectoliters of wine were produced. Exports go mainly to the United States. The modern Albariñoweine can be drunk with much pleasure early on, but also have a good shelf life of two to four years. The wines are very aromatic and are often compared in its full aroma with a wine from the grape variety Viognier. Depending on the soil and expanding the range of style apple, pear, apricot and peach notes extends to citrus.
Names of wines
- Rias Baixas: At least 70 percent must be from the varieties Albariño, Treixadura, Loureira and Caiño Blanco.
- Rias Baixas Albariño: The wine must be made from 100 percent Albariño.
- Rias Baixas Condado de Tea: All wines must come from the subzone Condado de Tea. The wine contains at least 70 percent of Albariño and Treixadura.
- Rosal Rias Baixas: All wines must come from the O Rosal subzone. The wine contains at least 70 percent of Albariño and Loureira.
- Rias Baixas Ribera do Ulla: All wines must come from the subzone Ribera do Ulla. The wine contains at least 70 percent of Albariño.
- Rias Baixas Salnes: All wines must come from the subzone Salnes. The wine contains at least 70 percent of Albariño.
- Rias Baixas barrica: In addition to the DO provisions was an extension of at least three months in oak barrels.
Sub-areas or sub-areas of Rías Baixas
- Val do Salnes ( 1,487 ha under vines ) near the coast north of the city of Pontevedra. This is the true home of the Albariño.
- Condado de Tea ( 545 hectares of vineyards ) near the border with Portugal in the city of Ponte Areas. The mountainous area lies north of the Miño region.
- O Rosal (312 hectares of vineyards ) near the coast south of the city of Vigo. This is the warmest of the Rías Baixas region. O Rosal is characterized by many terraced layers.
- Ribeira do Ulla (46 hectares of vineyards ) south of the city of Santiago de Compostela. From this region are mainly red wines.
- Soutomaior (19 hectares of vineyards ), situated on the river Verdugo. Exclusively planted with the Albariño.