Bierzo Wine Landscape
The Cistercian monks were the pioneers of the concept of terroir. They studied the soils of Burgundy meticulously in the 9th century, raising the quality of the wine produced in this famed wine-growing area of France. Their detailed attention to soil and sun exposure resulted in the first comprehensive records of the vineyards. Although they began studying the nuances of the soil of each plot in 800 AD, it was in the year 1336 when they named the first Grand Cru: Clos de Vougeot.
A Clos is a stone wall that monks built to protect the best vineyards from damage that animals could cause. The threat of wild animals no longer exists, but several Grand Cru vineyards still use the Clos name: Clos de Vougeot, Clos de Beze, Corton Clos de Roi, Clos de la Roche, Clos St Denis, etc., and their walls of stones made by monks centuries ago are still visible. Although they have not made wine for long time, their legacy persists in the nomenclature that distinguishes Burgundy wines into these four classifications, depending on the quality of the terroir: Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Village, and Regional. Another inherited nomenclature is “Lieu Dit” or “Named Place” which is a specific place within the Village classification and is differentiated by its extraordinary characteristics.
This nomenclature is not exclusive to Burgundy. It exists in other regions of France, and in the last ten years, in various parts of Spain and Germany, who have been wanting to differentiate their wines more by terroir and less by their oenological practices. Although there are some Denominations of Origin in Spain that accept the Burgundy nomenclature, changing it is not an easy process, and to date there are only two that have officially adopted the system - Bierzo and Priorato. In Bierzo, the Regulatory Council that regulates the Denomination of Origin, established in 1989, has changed its approach. Since 2017, it has been making a comprehensive registry of the DO's soils and classifying them by the quality and complexity of the wines that are coming out of those terroirs.
Bierzo is located in the northwest of Spain, in the province of León. Its location on the border with Galicia allows it to benefit from the cool Atlantic climate and the rains that irrigate its vineyards. However, its climate is slightly warmer and drier, which gives the wines more concentration and intensity than those of its neighbor. The region has a diverse terrain with hills and valleys and is divided into two official parts: Bierzo Alto, located in the mountains and Bierzo Bajo in the valley. In general, the soils of Bierzo Alto are rich in iron, because the mountains have a higher concentration of slate, while those in the valley have more clay and alluvial soils. The presence of iron contributes to a slightly smoky minerality, to the more concentrated fruit flavors, and to its dark color, however both slate and clay soils provide a powerful aromatic load.
This DO is mainly recognized for its unique red wines made with the Mencía grape variety, which flourishes thanks to a mild climate with relatively warm days and cool nights, allowing it to preserve its characteristic acidity and intense flavors. Mencía wines are mostly medium in body, marked mainly by red fruits, spices and powerful floral aromas. They are often characterized by their freshness and vibrant acidity. As for the white wine made in the area, Godello is the main grape of this DO and produces an aromatic wine with citrus notes and sometimes a touch of peach and honey. Smaller productions of Doña Blanca and Palomino grapes can be found, but Godello is the queen of the Bierzo whites.
Bierzo is in a moment of resurgence in the market due to the quality of the wines they are currently producing, thanks mainly to Alvaro Palacios (one of the most famous winemakers in Spain), Ricardo Pérez Palacios and Raúl Pérez (producer of sensational wines from both Galicia and Bierzo), all valuable figures from this area who have done important work with the Regulatory Council to classify the complexity of the vineyards according to the Burgundy model with the following criteria:
- DOP Bierzo: Regional wines from different towns (equivalent to the regional wine of Burgundy).
- Vino Villa: Wines from a single town (equivalent to Village in Burgundy).
- Vino de Paraje: An area or named place within a town (equivalent to a lieu dit of Burgundy).
-Viña Classificada: A classified vineyard (equivalent to the 1st Cru of Burgundy).
- Gran Viña Classificada: A great classified vineyard (equivalent to Grand Cru Burgundy).
Together they have researched and named the different vineyards and terroirs. The effort is similar to what the Cistercian monks did but now with centuries of understanding of what terroir is - the combination of several environmental factors: soil, microclimate, geology, water and sunshine amongst others.
El Bierzo has its own history and characteristics, recognizing that the mix of factors such as the diversity of the soil and its ideal climate make the wines balanced. They have concentration, elegance, and the ability to age in the cellar and deserve to be included in the great wines of Spain.
To learn more about our Bierzo wines, follow this link: Casa Aurora
Entry photo: Arganza town located in Bierzo.
