D.O. (Denomination of Origin) Valdeorras has a large diversity of soils for the surface area of vineyards it hosts; 1300 hectares.
The river Sil crosses the region from east to west, generating a symmetrically-shaped valley: steep slopes on the left bank and more gentle slopes on the right bank, essentially, in the borough councils of O Barco, A Rúa and Vilamartín.
Other rivers with a lesser volume of flow are the Xares, Bibei, Cigüeño and Casaio; in O Bolo, Larouco, Rubiá and Carballeda they fall short of forming valleys but provide sufficient slopes to cultivate vines, and terraces can be seen along the banks of the Bibei and Xares.
These southern-facing soils have always been deemed ideal for growing vines, as they are less fertile but drain well, which guarantees a more moderate yield and grapes which mature suitably.
Mediterranean-continental (with Atlantic influence).
Ideal climate for high-quality dry wines, optimum at over 450m above sea level. Valdeorras is ideal as the entire region stands at between 300m and 700m above sea level and, therefore, falls within Winkler’s zone 1.
Made from white varieties (Preferential: Godello, Loureira, Treixadura, Dona Branca, Albariño, Torrontes and Lado. Authorised: Palomino white)
If it is made:
A fizzy wine obtained using the traditional method, made with a minimum of 85% Godello grape.
Naturally sweet wine made from red varieties or from Godello.
Made from preferential red grapes (Mencía, Tempranillo, Brancellao, Merenzao, Sousón, Caíño Tinto, Espadeiro and Ferrón), or authorised red grapes (Gran Negro, Garnacha Tintureira and Mouratón).
If it is made:
According to the Specification of the D.O. Rías Baixas, the wines produced and produced must pass the verification process of the Regulatory Council. Each item of wine produced in the D.O. Rías Baixas undergoes an exhaustive control, consisting of a chemical and organoleptic analysis.
The types of wines that are distinguished within this denomination are the following:
The different finished red wines abovementioned, and Valdeorras Godello, obtained using grapes from wineries with limited production
All types of Valdeorras red and white wines subjected to aging in oak barrels can be labelled, in accordance with current legislation, Barrica, Crianza and Gran Reserva.
The tradition of Valdeorras as a wine-growing regions dates back to the days of the Roman Empire. Aided by the Mediterranean-Atlantic micro-climate, the Romans planted vines and built presses, creating a culture, secular today, which revolved around vineyards and the production of exquisite wines, whose virtues were extolled by pilgrims following the Way of St. James on their journey to Santiago de Compostela.
Ever since that time, the arduous task undertaken by winegrowers and producers would continue to bear its fruit until in 1945 Valdeorras was granted Denomination of Origin status by Ministerial Order. The Entity was born with the vocation of recovering autochthonous varieties such as Godello and Mencia, its main aims being to ensure quality, boost control, facilitate promotion and search for new ways in which to expand and market the product.
oday, winegrowing, and all that it entails, is governed by a Regulatory Council, a body that decides which wines are granted Denomination of Origin status, taking in the winegrowing borough councils of A Rúa, Carballeda de Valdeorras, Larouco, O Barco, O Bolo, Petín, Rubiá and Vilamartín.
The production areas take up a large part of the basins of the rivers Sil, Xares and Bibei. The climate is drier here than in the rest of Galicia, providing a Continental-Atlantic micro-climate. The average temperature is 11ºC and the annual rainfall ranges from 850 to 1.000 mm.
This site uses cookies. For the correct use and performance, you should accept that. More information about cookies.
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.