In June 2020, the first wines from the village and area of the Bierzo Designation of Origin went on the market. Thus, a new era began for the Designation of Origin after six years of work in which a new Terms and Conditions was approved that considers the classification in smaller geographic units (Village Wine, Area Wine, Classified Vineyard and Great Wine from a Classified Vineyard), the inclusion of new grape varieties, the elaboration of claretes and the inclusion of 10 new municipalities in the designation of origin.

With the approval of wines classified in smaller geographic units regarding the own demarcation, the Regulator Board and their winemakers reached an important milestone by making the Bierzo Designation of Origin the first in Spain to adopt this classification of wines, usually used in Burgundy and Piedmont.

LEVELS OF DESIGNATION BY GEOGRAPHIC UNITS

Wine from DO Bierzo
It is the current geographic limit of the Bierzo Designation of Origin.

Village Wine (municipality or hamlet)
100% of the grapes used should come from plots that belong to the municipality or hamlet in question. The performance of the grape (kg/ha) shall be 20% less than the maximum set by the Bierzo Designation of Origin.

Area Wine
100% of the grapes used should come from the same area, with a name recognised in the terms and conditions of the Bierzo Designation of Origin. The performance of the grape (kg/ha) shall be 25% less than the maximum set by the Bierzo Designation of Origin.

Classified Vineyard
100% of the grapes used should come from the same plot or adjacent plots in the same area, with a name recognised in the terms and conditions of the Bierzo Designation of Origin and that have been typified as area wines for at least five years and whose quality has been recognised by the Experts Committee of the Regulator Board.

The performance of the grape (kg/ha) shall be 30% less than the maximum set by the Bierzo Designation of Origin.

Great Classified Vineyard
Similar case to the previous one, but typified with at least five years as classified vineyard wines and whose quality has been recognised by the Experts Committee of the Regulator Board.

The grape performance (kg/ha) shall be 35% less than the maximum set by the Bierzo Designation of Origin.