GALICIAN WINES: whites, reds and sparkling.

Eva Pizarro

Galicia is one of wine-lovers’ favourite wine-making regions. It is famous for the quality of its white wines, as there are several factors that make it one of the most interesting wine-making regions, producing wines that seduce us with their essence and personality.

VINOS GALLEGOS: blancos, tintos y espumosos.

Thanks to the Atlantic climate and the wide variety of soils, Galician wines stand out for their freshness and finesse, whether white or red. The latter are perhaps less known, but those of us who are familiar with them agree that they are well adapted to today's tastes. The native grape varieties make them different to other wines produced around the world. Things are going on in Galicia. Wine-makers, drinkers and other professionals in the industry have all come together to showcase Galician wines, and they are achieving some excellent results.

Galician white wines are the most acknowledged internationally, particularly the ones made from Albariño grapes, although other varieties such as Godello and Treixadura also make exceptionally good wines, and their presence is more noticeable in the markets today. Let's take a closer look at their characteristics:

- Albariño (D.O. Rías Baixas) Fresh, citrus with vibrant acidity. Ideal to pair with shellfish and fish.

- Godello (D.O. Valdeorras and Monterrei) More full-bodied and creamy, with mineral and fruity hints. Pairs well with oily fish and mild cheese.

- Treixadura (D.O. Ribeiro) Elegant and balanced, reminiscent of white fruit and flowers. Perfect for pairing with traditional Galician dishes such as octopus or pastry empanada.

Although white wines are better known, Galicia also produces some elegant, fresh reds, mainly using the Mencia grape variety, although there are others such as Brancellao and Sousón. Their characteristics are as follows:

- Mencia (D.O. Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras) Light and fruity, with hints of red berries and spices. Ideal for pairing with white meat and traditional Galician dishes.

- Brancellao (D.O. Ribeiro and Monterrei) Intense and full-bodied, with earthy and flowery hints. Perfect for pairing with barbecued meat.

- Sousón (D.O. Ribeiro and Monterrei) Tannin-rich and full-bodied, with hints of blackberries and liquorice. Pairs well with stews and game dishes.

More and more Galician wineries are turning to sparkling wine, made using the traditional method with native grape varieties such as Albariño and Godello. Let's take a closer look at their characteristics:

- Albariño Sparkling Wines (D.O. Rías Baixas) Dry and mineral, elegant with fine bubbles.
- Godello Sparkling Wines (D.O. Valdeorras and Monterrei) More creamy, with hints of roasting.
- Treixadura Sparkling Wines (D.O. Ribeiro) Aromatic and well-balanced.