The region
Divided into five subzones – Val do Salnés, Condado de Tea, El Rosal, Sotomayor and Ribera del Ulla-, this is the most Atlantic influenced wine appellation of Spain.
Its sandy, slightly acidic soils are geologically irregular and are combined with a very changeable annual climate: in winter there are Atlantic storms with heavy rainfall which make for mild temperatures, with very little difference between day time and night time temperatures. Spring comes early and brings rain with a risk of frosts which are even greater inland. In summer, high pressure in the Azores block bad weather and rainfall is scarce with mild temperatures. This climate which is typically Atlantic makes for elegant wines made from perfectly adapted grape varieties of which one of them is the historic Albariño.
