#old-world-wines

Why Bierzo, Spain matters now: Old vines and the rise of site

Long overshadowed by Rioja and Ribera del Duero, Bierzo is stepping into focus with wines that speak more clearly than ever of place Set in northwest Spain, in the province of León along the border with Galicia, Bierzo sits at a natural crossroads—between Atlantic freshness and inland warmth, between Castilla y León and Galicia. The region forms a basin encircled by mountains, with the Sil River running through its centre and vineyards rising along its slopes. That shape tempers the climate while creating a patchwork of exposures, elevations, and soils: clay in the valley, slate and quartz as you climb. It’s a region of altitude, but also of rugged terrain—small plots, steep slopes, old bush vines, and everywhere, the sense that the land is still very much in charge. Read Also: Rethinking Brunello: A more complete picture of Montalcino For generations, Bierzo was farmed for subsistence. Parcels planted as field blends—red and white varieties together, harvested together. Many of those