Rias Baixas is the most important wine-growing region in northwestern Spain and lies - at least in part - directly on the Atlantic coast. The climate here is cool and humid, but made for growing white wine. The wines from Rias Baixas were among the first wines of Spain to be sold outside the country, especially in northern Europe. However, after the phylloxera disaster at the end of the 19th century, viticulture came to a virtual standstill, and at the beginning of the 20th century, mainly hybrid vines and the Palomino variety were planted, from which relatively inconsequential wine was produced.
The region's revival began in the 1970s, when Treixadura, Loureiro and, above all, Albarino returned to the vineyards. All three varieties also represent the production of Vinho Verde in the vineyards of neighbouring Portugal. In the Rias Baixas, they find a perfect terroir on the barren granite soils. In fact, a total of eleven varieties are permitted for the production of Rias Baixas wines, but the high-quality Albarino alone already accounts for 90% of the vineyard area.
The wine from Albarino vines is lively fresh and racy, showing a distinct characteristic fruit of limes, peaches and apples and is therefore often called the "Riesling of Spain". It is mainly because of these characteristics that these wines are in such high demand in Spanish gastronomy that they enjoy almost cult status among gourmets.
The bottles for export therefore naturally have their price because of the great domestic demand and the limited production. From the grape varieties Mencia, Espadeiro and Caino Tinto, red wine is also produced in small quantities.
