Bierzo

Geography

Bierzo is located in northwest part of Spain sharing a latitude similar to that of Rioja in the east and Rias Baixas in the west. Planting area spreads on either mountainous sites or depressissed flat lands. With it location between humid areas of Galicia and dry Central Spain, the climate is milder than in regions in Castile but with more rainfall. The lower altitudes help to avoid late frost that is more commonly seen in the central Spain.

Topograpghy

Sierra de los Ancares buffers clamitic influence of the atlantic ocean. 

Climate

The recorded lowest and highest temperature in a year are 3.6 °C and 23.6 °C respectively. 

Viticulture

Vineyards are planted on slopes at altitudes of 450 to 800 meters. Soils are rich in silt and acidic with  pH5.5 is possible.

The dominant variety is Mencia. It buds and ripen early and yields low. The second variety in terms in planting area is Palomino. Godello folllows and represents 4% of the total. Mencia is a versatile variety. It is called Jaen in Portugal.
Vineyard holding is fragmented. There are significant plantings of old vines.

Remarkable producers

Discendientes de Palacios

[Reference]

Bierzo Denominacion de Origen. The Bierzo Designation of Origen Board. [online] available at http://www.crdobierzo.es/en/

Accessed on 17 June 2018.

Descendientes de Palacios. Berry Bros.$ Rudd. [online] Available at https://www.bbr.com/

Accessed on 17 June 2018.

[relevant source]
Shaw,L(2015). Mencia The Pinot Noir’ of Spain. The Drink Business. [online] Available at https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/
Accessed on 18 June 2018.

Deng, V(2017). Grapes You Don’t Know But Should: Mencia. Vinepair.com. [online] Available at https://vinepair.com/
Accessed on 18 June 2018.