Rias Baixas - Albarino - Spain
- Jacqueline de Gouw
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The vineyards of Rías Baixas are so different from the rest of the world. The vines are trained using long granite poles to create a pergola beneath which you can walk. Not only can you walk, but entire tractors can drive through them, as the canopy must be well-maintained. When the grapes are ripe, they are harvested by hand, with the pickers standing on crates otherwise they can't reach them.
The reason these pergolas are so high is because it's incredibly humid in northwest Spain, which can lead to mold growth. This allows the wind to blow through the vines, drying everything out. Fortunately, the Albarino grape, a special variety from this region, is somewhat less susceptible due to its thick skin, but it's best to train the vines accordingly to prevent problems. The afternoon sun can also shine strongly, causing temperatures to rise considerably. Because the grapes are hung beneath the leaves, they are also extra protected from the sun.
These vineyards make for beautiful pictures.
Try an Albarino wine from Rías Baixas for yourself. This refreshing wine, with its beautiful fruity flavors of citrus and apricot, and a hint of grapefruit bitterness, is sure to delight.
Pazo Señoráns
Pazo Señoráns, now converted into a winery, is a beautiful example of those ancestral Galician houses from the 16th century, built in the countryside with all the charm and dignity of a bygone era. The winery launched its first vintage in 1989. The winery aims to create wines that faithfully reflect the land from which they originate.
The entire vineyard is planted with Albariño grapes, cultivated using a pergola system and located in various areas within a radius of about ten kilometers near the sea. The soil contains xabre, a type of subsoil resulting from the decomposition of granitic rock, which has excellent drainage capacity.
The ambient climate, combined with the variety of soil types (poor, acidic, and loose sandy soils), gives the grapes their individual, fresh, and aromatic character. All grapes are harvested by hand, with bunch selection performed within the vineyard itself. Transport to the winery is immediate, in small perforated plastic boxes, ensuring the grapes arrive intact and in optimal condition for winemaking. Later, the grape juice is transferred to stainless steel vats where the fermentation process begins. Cheers!
Chan de Rosas - Marcos Lojo - Pedras Loiras
Strictly speaking, Chan de Rosas isn't a winery, but a project by oenologist Marcos Lojo. His goal: to reveal the quality of the Albariño grape variety in Galicia. After countless conversations, visits, and meticulous research, he selected twelve wineries in the DO Rías Baixas with which to collaborate. Remarkably, they all have vines that are at least seventy years old. The best conditions for truly showcasing the Albariño's potential!
The different terroirs were also a key factor in selecting the wineries. The grapes come from the Carabuxeira, Padrenda, Cabeza de Boi, Pedreira, Castrelo, and Lores regions. In close collaboration with their respective winemakers, the Albariño 'Clasico', 'Cuvée Especial', and the Icon-Albariño 'Gran Cuvée' are produced here.
Chan de Rosas has since sold Marcos Lojo, but a new, fantastic label has been added in Rías Baixas, called Pedras Loiras. This exceptionally beautiful Albariño is light golden yellow in color and has aromas of blossom, stone fruit, passion fruit, and grapefruit on a salty background. This is how a good Albariño should be. The grapes come from 40-year-old vines in granite-loam soil from Val do Salnes Rías Baixas. The vines are pergola-trained, and the grapes are harvested by hand. The grapes were harvested on September 10, 2021, and aged for seven months, 15% in 500-liter French oak barrels and 85% in steel tanks. This preserves the freshness while giving the wine depth and a long finish.
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