Bierzo

DO Bierzo
The Region of Bierzo is located to the northwest of the province of Leon, in the Community of Castile and Leon. It occupies an area of 2,954.28 kilometers, which is 18% of the provincial area. It borders the provinces of Ourense, Lugo and Asturias, and is a communication axis between Galicia, León and Asturias.

First of all, the vineyard in the Bierzo is characterized by an atomization of the plots, a smallholding property and sloping land, from 450 to 800 meters.

Second, the soil of the Bierzo vineyard sits on Miocene materials covered by a Quaternary layer. The texture is frankly, moderately acidic, its pH is close to 5.5, with no carbonates, typical of humid climates. Sloping soils are made up of a mixture of coarse elements, quartzites and slates.

Finally, the Bierzo has a very special microclimate, very suitable for crops in the area. The natural barrier of the Serra dels Ancares calms the impetus of the Atlantic storms and generates a continental climate, with the influence of the Ocean, suitable for the cultivation of the vineyard. The annual rainfall is 721 millimeters and the average temperature is 12.3 ºC, with minimum temperatures of 3.6 ºC in the cold months and maximum temperatures of 23.6 ºC in the warmer months. The average annual sunshine is between 2,100 and 2,200 hours of sunshine.
Grape varieties
In the Bierzo different varieties of grapes are produced, all adapted to the characteristics of the soils and the climate. The elaboration of the wines protected by the Designation of Origin will have to realize exclusively with the following varieties: Mencía, Grenache tintorera, Godello, Doña blanca and Palomino.