No. 84

MARCH/ APRIL 2021 AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY PRICE $25

The Wines of Bierzo

Mencía Godello Terroir Driven Wines

1 After a very brief overview of the wine history of Bierzo, our report provides an examination of the geography, climate and soils that define the special character of Table of Contents the region’s vineyards and its wines. While Bierzo is a relatively small growing area, it is a treasure chest of unique vineyards and ancient vines. We examine these Introduction vineyards and the Godello, Mencía. and other grapes that Acknowledgements are cultivated on the region’s hillsides and valleys. We also profile some of Bierzo’s top winemakers and examine their Historical Highlights winemaking techniques. In the final section, we provide The Geography of Bierzo background information on the principal wineries and evaluations of their wines. The Grapes Vineyards & Vintages In this report, we focus on the wines produced in Bierzo. Prior to this we published Report #83 Rias Baixas: Albariño Winemaking and More as well as articles on the noteworthy wines of The New Classification System neighboring regions of Valdeorras, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra and Monterrei in . Winery Profiles & Tasting Notes Annex: Map of Central Bierzo

Introduction Bierzo is among ’s smallest and oldest wine growing areas and one of its best. An ancient region in the northwestern corner of Castilla y Leon, it is best known for producing high quality authentic wines from two signature grapes, the white Godello and the red Mencía. It has incredibly steep hillside vineyards, distinctive terroirs and ancient vineyards of Mencía—a unique red grape whose origin appears located in nearby Salamanca. Established as a DOP in 1989, Bierzo has attracted young talented winemakers who are producing some of the most attractive wines in Spain today, building upon a two millennia-old tradition of winegrowing in the region.

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