Certified Origin Bierzo

Bierzo is a Certified Origin, in Spanish “Denominación de Origen” (D.O.) established in 1989 west of the province of León, in Castilla y León, Spain. The Bierzo crop area is located in the valley of the Sil River, and the production of wines protected by this denomination is done only with authorized grape varieties.

The elaboration of wines covered by the D.O. must be made exclusively with the following varieties: Mencía, Garnacha tintorera, Godello, Doña blanca and Palomino.

Mencía
Main ink variety of Bierzo and represents 74.5% of the grapes grown in the production area.

Unproductive variety, early sprouting and early maturation. The cluster is small in size, and compact in size. The berries of medium size, uniform and blue-black colour. The pigmentation of the pulp is not coloured.

Palomino
White variety It represents 17% of the grapes grown in the production area. Also known as Jerez or Listán.
Productive variety, medium budding and medium maturation. The cluster is medium large and medium compact. The berries of medium size, uniform and yellow-green colour. The pigmentation of the pulp is uncoloured.

Wines produced
Young whites: Made with Doña Blanca, Godello and Palomino. Between 10° and 13°.

Young reds: Made with a minimum of 70% Mencía. Between 11° and 14°.

Aged wines without crianza: the vintage must be shown on the label and certain criteria complied with.

Rosé wines: made with a minimum of 50% Mencía and may contain white grapes.

Crianza wines: Minimum of 6 months in oak casks plus 18 months in the bottle.

Reserva wines: Minimum of 12 months in oak barrels plus 24 months in the bottle for red wines; minimum of 6 months in oak casks and 18 months in the bottle for whites.

Last harvests ratings of the Bierzo D.O. granted by its Regulatory Council are the following:

2008 Very Good 2009 Very Good 2010 Very Good
2011 Very Good 2012 Excellent 2013 Very Good
2014 Excellent 2015 Excellent 2016 Excellent
Certificado de Bierzo (Castilla y León)
Map of Bierzo (Castilla y León)