Gredos
Among Spain’s wine regions, none is spoken of with greater conviction today than Gredos. Once a quiet mountain district, it has evolved into a destination of near mythic status, a place of pilgrimage for those attuned to the excitement of modern Spanish winemaking. Its appeal rests on several key elements, primarily its geography, less than an hour by car from Madrid. In addition, the Sierra de Gredos is a compelling mountain range, an immense granite mass laced with veins of sand, slate, and quartz. From these soils come wines of remarkable precision, polished yet taut, their texture and minerality shaped by the mountain’s beauty.
Equally captivating but more established are the wines emerging from Galicia and neighboring Castile and León, especially from two regions that, though distinct, share a certain spirit: Ribeira Sacra and Bierzo.
Ribeira Sacra
In Ribeira Sacra, it all begins with Mencía, a variety that thrives in the cool Atlantic influenced climate of Galicia. Here it produces wines of clarity and lift, perfumed with red currant, cherry, and violet, balanced by fine acidity and a mineral edge. Alongside Mencía, small parcels of Brancellao and Merenzao (known in France as Trousseau) bring nuance: Brancellao adds vitality and aromatic precision, while Merenzao contributes delicacy and a faint earthy sweetness. Together they form a signature of Galician expression, wines that are graceful rather than forceful, guided by freshness, purity, and a transparent sense of place.
Bierzo
In the northwest of Castile and León, Bierzo is a region of transition between the Galician Atlantic influenced climate and the more continental interior of Spain. Its primary grape is also Mencía, representing over 70 percent of plantings. Wines from Bierzo often show bright red fruit, floral notes, a fine mineral streak, and occasionally subtle oak or spice accents. The soils include slate, quartzite, and sandstone, and the combination of elevation and varied microclimates ensures freshness and complexity.