Rías Baixas

Five counties make up the Galician wine production zone of the Designation of Origin Rias Baixas: Salnés Valley, on the left bank of the Ria de Arosa; Soutomaior, the natural extension of the first one; Tea, spread along the right bank the Minho river; El Rosal in the lower watershed of the Minho (Baixo Miño); and Ribera del Ulla. Each of them has its own peculiarities and produce different kinds of Rias Baixas wines but they are bound together by common factors as important as the grape varieties and the similarity of the soil and the climate.
In the five sub-areas the relief is gently undulating with elevations that surround open and sunny valleys. The climate, clearly influenced by the Atlantic, is characterised by its soft temperatures in all seasons and a certain rainfall generosity which does not reach excessive levels.
Among the delicate white varieties grown within the Designation of Origin Rías Baixas Albariño wine must be highlighted, as it can be classified among the best wines in the world. These wines show a straw yellow colour with golden reflections, very powerful and elegantly fruity aromas with floral nuances sometimes, envolving and sensual. In the mouth it is broad, fleshy and juicy, full of sensations, very persistent and with broad, elegant, powerful and fruity retronasal aromas such as those of Pedralonga Albariño or Paco & Lola.
Along with Albariño, other white varieties are used in the elaboration of non-varietal wines of great elegance and rich floral sensations.
Red wines, with very little representation nowadays, show an interesting potential as young wines.