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El Bierzo, sometimes called 'the gateway to Galicia', is a fertile, rich plain enclosed on both sides by mountains. It is probably best known as a mining area, enclosing a small group of towns with considerable industry, but is also ideal vineyard country. Gentle valley slopes rise up towards pines and are protected from Atlantic influences by mountains.
Both in terms of landscape and the wines from this area, this is an area of transition between the meseta and Galicia, with excellent varietal Mencía reds and whites based on the Godello grapes planted in neighbouring Valdeorras DO. The local grapes lend themselves to making excellent wines and with good techniques this could become a high-profile region.
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Fact file
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CRDO address:
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Los Morales, 1-2
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24540 Cacabelos
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León
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Spain
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DO established
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11DEC89
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Telephone
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+34-987-549-408
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Fax
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+34-987-547-077
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E-mail
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info@crdobierzo.es
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Website
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www.crdobierzo.es
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Vineyards:
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Subzones
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-
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Area under vine
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4,274 ha
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Area in full production
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100%
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Altitude of vineyards
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450 - 1,000 m
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Soil types
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Alluvial low, slate high
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Principal grapes (w)
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Godello, Doña Blanca
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Principal grapes (r)
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Mencía
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Permitted grapes (w)
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Malvasía, Palomino
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Permitted grapes (r)
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Garnacha Tintorera
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Experimental grapes (w)
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-
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Experimental grapes (r)
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Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo
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Training and Pruning
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En vaso, espaldera
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Principal Root Stocks
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Rupestris de Lot
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Organic viticulture
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2%
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Climate:
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Max. summer temp.
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24º
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Min. Winter temp.
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4º
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Average rainfall
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721 mm annually
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Average sunshine
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2,150 hours annually
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Production:
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Maximum crop
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11,000 kg/ha
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Yield
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70%
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Equivalent hl/ha
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77 hl/ha
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Production 2001
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-
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Production 2002
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-
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Production 2003
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-
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Wine alcohol content:
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White
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min 11 % abv
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Rosé
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min 11% abv
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Red
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min 12% abv
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Other
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-
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Ageing in oak:
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Crianza
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minimun 6 month in barrels, 2 years in total
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Reserva
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12 month oak, 24 month bottle, released 01-Jan, vintage +4
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Gran Reserva
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Wineries:
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Number of Wineries
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48
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Total exports 2001
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-
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Total exports 2002
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-
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Total exports 2003
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-
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