Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
), in the valleys formed by the rivers Miño, Arnoia, and Avia. It has an area of 30 km2 including 9 municipalities in their entirety and parts of four others.
History
Ribeiro has a long tradition of producing and exporting wine from the Galician Atlantic ports. It is believed that the first vineyards were planted by the
ancient Romans
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom (753–509 ...
. From the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
up to the 18th century, the area was renowned for its sweet wines (''vinos tostados''), which were produced here long before they were produced in the Canary Islands or in
Andalusia
Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a "historical nationality". The t ...
. They were made from sun-dried grapes and were known as ''Ribadavia''. They were drunk by the pilgrims passing through the area on their way to
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is the center of Chile's most densely populated region, the Santiago Metropolitan Region, whos ...
. Significant quantities of white fortified ''Ribadavia'' wines were exported to England in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Nowadays, white Ribeiro wines are known for their fresh, slightly acidic, fruity character.
Soils
The vineyards are at altitudes of between 75 and 400 m above sea level in the valleys and on the slopes which can sometimes be very steep. The use of terraces (known locally as ''socalcos'' or bocaribeiras) is common.
The soils are deep (between 70 and 100 cm) and basically of granitic origin with a significant content of stones and gravel,
which improve the structure of the soil and reflect sunlight onto the vines.
The soil texture is mainly sandy. Organic matter content varies between 2% and 4%. The soils in the area have a tendency to acidify, and this is corrected by the grape growers.
Climate
The climate is a transition zone between oceanic and Mediterranean, so it is humid and temperate, with average annual temperatures of 14.5 °C. The grapes generally have no problem ripening and conserve all their aroma and acidity. In addition, there are natural barriers that protect the area from Atlantic storms.
Average annual rainfall is high (950 mm) though there are three months in the summer when it is very sparse.
The vines receive a maximum of around 1900 hours of sunlight per year.
Grapes
White wine represents about 95% of the wine produced, and is most commonly produced with the
Treixadura
Treixadura or Trajadura is white Portuguese wine grape variety grown primarily in the Vinho Verde wine region of northeast Portugal and the Galician wine regions of Ribeiro and Rías Baixas in Spain where the variety is known as ''Treixadura' ...
variety. The Recommended white grapes are:
Treixadura
Treixadura or Trajadura is white Portuguese wine grape variety grown primarily in the Vinho Verde wine region of northeast Portugal and the Galician wine regions of Ribeiro and Rías Baixas in Spain where the variety is known as ''Treixadura' ...
,
Torrontés
Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.Robinson, Jancis '' ...
,
Godello
Godello is a white variety of wine grape grown in northwestern Spain, in particular in Galicia. The Gouveio found in northern Portugal is thought to be the same grape variety.
The origins of Godello variety are located in the town of Godella ...
,
Loureira
Loureira is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Vila Verde. The population in 2021 was 1106 in an area of 1.87 km².
{{Infobox Portuguese subdivision, official_name=Loureira, image_shield=, coordinates={{coord, 41.630, -8.427, ...
Albillo
Albillo or Albillo Real is a white Spanish wine grape varietyAlbillo Real ,
Macabeo
Macabeo, also called Viura or Macabeu (, ), is a white variety of wine grape.
It is widely grown in the Rioja region of northeastern Spain, the Cava producing areas south of Barcelona, and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Spanish ...
Tempranillo
Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto Fino and Tinta del Pais in Spain, Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal, and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in its ...
Spanish wine
Spanish wine () includes red, white, and sparkling wines produced throughout the country. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has over 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) planted in wine grapes, making it the most widely pla ...