Grape varieties
Thel Bierzo is a fertile land where different grape varieties adapted to the characteristics of soils and climate.
The Bierzo Designation of Origin's wines must elaborated exclusively with the following varieties: Mencía, Garnacha tintorera, Godello, Doña blanca and Palomino.
Mencía
Bierzo's main red grape and represents 70.5% of the grapes grown in the production area.
Not much yield, early budding and early ripening. The cluster is small and compact. Berries of medium size, uniform and blue-black color. The pulp pigmentation is not colored.
Garnacha tintorera
Bierzo's red grape and represents 1,5% of the grapes grown in the production area. It is also known as Alicante bouschet.
Not much yield, early budding and half early ripening . The bunch is large and moderatly compact. Berries of medium size, uniform and blue-black color.The pulp pigmentation is strong and has a reddish color.
Estaladiña
Area less than 2 ha. Also called Pan y Carne.
Early sprouting and veraison, early ripening. It is a medium production variety. The bunch is small, small berry of blue-black colour. The flesh has no colouring.
Merenzao
Area between 2 and 3 ha. Known as María Ordoña or Bastardo.
Medium production variety, medium sprouting and early ripening. The cluster is small in size with medium-large blue-black beads, the flesh has no color.
Godello
White variety adapted to the soil and slopes of Bierzo. Represents 16,7% of the grapes grown in the production area.
Not much yield, early budding and early ripening. The bunch is small sized and compact. Berries are yellow-green color, small and uniforms. The pulp pigmentation is absent or very weak.
Doña Blanca
White variety. Represents 2% of the grapes grown in the production area. It is also known as Valencia.
Good yield, late middle budding and early ripening. The bunch is medium size and compact. Berries are yellow-green color, medium and uniforms. The pulp pigmentation is absent or very weak.
Palomino
White variety. Represents 9% of the grapes grown in the production area. Also known as Jerez or Listán.
High yield, middle budding and ripening. The bunch is medium large size and compact. Berries are yellow-green color, medium and uniforms. The pulp pigmentation is not colored