Valdeorras (DO)

Valdeorras (Spanish: Golden Valley ) is a Spanish wine region in the northwestern region of Galicia and is close to the Portuguese border. Around 1,330 hectares under vines located at altitudes between 200 and 300 msnm lie in a U-shaped area on both sides of the river Sil and its tributaries Xares, Bibei, Cigüeño and CASAYO to El Barco de Valdeorras in the northwest of the province of Ourense. In the valley of the Sil and its tributaries usually outweighs fertile alluvial soil, in the rest of you will find lean, medium deep soils on calcareous schistose or underground.

Main areas are distributed among the towns of El Barco de Valdeorras (192 hectares), Larouco (240 hectares ), A Rúa (252 hectares), Vilamartín (212 hectares), Petín (128 hectares), Rubiá (153 hectares), Carballeda (14 hectares ) and O Bolo (120 hectares). The maximum yields per hectare, depending on the situation at 56-70 hectoliters / hectare.

Since July 1957, the area has the status of a DO. The rules will be strictly controlled in general. In the year 2003, nearly 50 % of the harvested amount was not approved for the appellation.

See also the article Viticulture in Spain.

The climate

Valdeorras is 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 ° C. and fall in the average here between 800 and 1,000 mm of rainfall per year. The average sunshine duration is 2700 hours / year.

The wines

Within the vineyard all wine types are permitted. International fame the area by the white grape Godello, which had almost disappeared by phylloxera. The sparkling white wines of this rare species was rediscovered here. Other white varieties are Palomino and Doña Blanca. The variety Palomino is the most widely grown variety.

The red wines are mainly made ​​from the Mencia variety and partly also with Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gran Negro and Merenzao (also called María Ardoña ) blended. Since 2003, the albarello varieties, Tempranillo and Negreda are allowed.

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. Valdeorras
  • Ctra. Nacional 120, km 463
  • 32340 Vilamartin de Valdeorras / Ourense
Denominación de Origen Palomino (grape) Grand Noir de la Calmette
797507
de