Collection: Ribeira Sacra

Ribeira Sacra is one of Spain's most fascinating wine regions. It lies in the northwest of Spain, in the autonomous region of Galicia, and stretches across parts of the provinces of Lugo and Ourense. The vineyards cling to steep, terraced slopes along the Sil river, a tributary of the Miño, and cultivation here is so demanding that it is often called 'heroic viticulture'. The name itself means 'the sacred riverbanks' and comes from the old monasteries and churches that shape the area.

The region is built as a Y-shaped appellation with five subzones: Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Ribeiras do Miño and Ribeiras do Sil. The climate is continental with Atlantic influences, long warm summers and mild autumns, while the soil varies from granite in Chantada and the western areas to clay with a higher content of slate in Amandi and towards the east. These differences give the wines their character and freshness. To the north lie towns such as Sober and Castro Caldelas, and on the other side of the Sil river you will find the neighbouring region of Valdeorras.

Red wine makes up by far the largest part of production, and the most important grape is Mencía, which produces wines with a light, elegant structure. Among the white grapes, Godello and Treixadura are central, the latter typically in cuvées. You will also find local grapes such as Juan García (also called Mouratón) and Brancellao in the region. Winemaking ranges from traditional methods, including foot-trodden whole-cluster fermentation, to more modern approaches, and organic and sustainable viticulture is developed and widely practised here.

At Copenhagen Wine we carry a selection of wines from Ribeira Sacra, all from this one Galician region. These are authentic wines from a part of Spain where only a small part of production leaves the country, and where the bottles show the country's cooler, elegant side. Discover the raw beauty along the Sil river, and find your next favourite among the wines from here.