Galicia

Question 1

How many sub-zones are there in Rías Baixas DO? And what are them?

Answer 1

5 sub-zones:

1. Val do Salnés (largest & oldest)
2. Condado do Tea
3. O Rosal
4. Soutomaior (smallest)
5. Ribeira do Ulla

Question 2

What are the grape varieties you can found in Rías Baixas DO?

Answer 2

WHITE:
•Albariño
•Loureira
•Treixadura
•Caiño Blanco
•Torrontés
•Godello

RED:
•Caino Tinto
•Loureira Tinta
•Espadeiro
•Souson
•Mencía
•Brancellao

Question 3

How many DOs in Galicia? And what are them?

Answer 3

5 of them:

1. Monterrei DO
2. Rías Baixas DO (most famous)
3. Ribeira Sacra DO
4. Ribeiro DO
5. Valdeorras DO

Question 4

Is Malolactic (MLF) allowed in Rías Baixas DO white wines?

Answer 4

It is either not been permitted or is only partly permitted

Question 5

What is the general climate of Galicia compared to the rest of Spain?

Answer 5

Maritime, humid, cooler than rest of Spain

Maritime on the coast, become more continental moving inland

Question 6

What are the 2 main bodies of water affecting Galicia?

Answer 6

1. Atlantic Ocean
2. Miño River / Minho River (Portuguese)

Question 7

What kind of soil can be found in Galicia?

Answer 7

Granite

Question 8

What does “Rias Baixas” translate to English?

Answer 8

Low Esturaries

referencing the defining feature of the zone

Question 9

What type of trellising system do you see in Galicia and why?

Answer 9

Pergola system

high canopy trellising because of humidity

Question 10

What is the predominant winemaking style found in Galicia?

Answer 10

•made with modern technology, stainless steels tanks
•lees aging is common

occasionally some producers used Barrique (barrica)

Question 11

What is Rías Baixas DO?

Answer 11

BLANCO / TINTO, STILL / ESPUMOSO
(5 subzones)

blanco: Albariño dominant
tinto: Mencía, Brancellao, Caiño Tinto, Espadeiro