Ribeiro

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soils of the area are predominantly granitic, rugged, and of low water-holding capacity, within a broken, hilly terrain.
• The climate is a temperate Mediterranean type with Atlantic influence, an influence reduced by the mountain ranges to the west that shield the area from Atlantic weather systems.
• The area experiences significant diurnal temperature variation and low rainfall from fruit set onwards.
• The production zone is located at the confluences of the valleys formed by the Miño, Avia, Arnoya, and Barbantiño rivers, with mean temperatures of 14.5 degrees Celsius. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Growers have established vine cultivation on the best-exposed slopes, in many cases constructing terraces that facilitate working the land and increase soil depth, creating a strongly man-shaped landscape.
• El Tostado del Ribeiro is produced through a complex raisin-drying process in which the grapes are dried in covered, naturally ventilated spaces, a technique developed over time by local producers.
• The quality sparkling wines of this appellation are made by the traditional method, taking advantage of an early harvest to achieve balanced, aromatic base wines.

• The wines in the category of wine from raisined grapes (Tostado del Ribeiro) are sweet and balanced, with a total sugar content exceeding 120 g/l.
• Quality sparkling wines produced by the traditional method are highly aromatic and fruit-forward.

• The diurnal temperature variation favours a slow ripening of the fruit, which intensifies the aromatic character and the natural freshness of the wines.
• The shelter provided by the mountain barriers to the west brings drier autumns than would be expected given the proximity to the Atlantic, which favours the natural raisining of the grapes.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-ES-A1123
• Official trade body site — D.O. Ribeiro