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The Ribeiro Denomination of Origin |
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The Ribeiro Denomination of Origin is in Southern Galicia, on the North-West edge of the province of Ourense, where the valleys formed by the Miño, Avia, Arnoia and Barbantiño rivers meet. It has 2,685 hectares of vineyards in the boroughs of Ribadavia, Arnoia, Castrelo de Miño, Carballeda de Avia, Leiro, Cenlle, Beade, Punxín and Cortegada, and in parts of the boroughs of Boborás, San Amaro, Toén, Carballiño and Ourense.
The vineyards cover areas of varying altitudes, from 75 to 400 metres above sea level, in valleys and on sometimes very steep hillsides on terraces known as “socalcos” or “bocarribeiras” that follow the contours of the hills. |
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Vine-growers |
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 Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
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Number of
vine-growers |
5,900 |
5,930 |
5,959 |
5,983 |
6,011 |
6,022 |
6029 |
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Vineyard hectares |
2,627 |
2,648 |
2,667 |
2,685 |
2,717 |
2,731 |
2749 |
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Climate |
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The area's distinctive climate is due to its sheltered position and its southern location in Galicia. The land is well protected from sub-Atlantic storms and enjoys an Oceanic-Mediterranean eco-climate, making it damp with mild temperatures that reach an annual average of 14.5ºC. Its mixed Oceanic and Mediterranean climate enables the grapes to ripen while preserving their aroma and acidity.
Average annual rainfall is 950mm, but the Mediterranean tendency of the climate means that for at least three months of the year, the average monthly temperature is twice as high as the average rainfall in mm for the same month.
The area enjoys a total of 1,915 hours of sunlight per year with a maximum of 40% in July and August and a minimum of 8% in December and January.
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Soil |
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The average soil depth is between 70 and 100cm and is basically granite in origin with a large quantity of stones and gravel that improve its macro-structure and allow heat to reach the grapes. Soil composition is mainly silt-sand and to a lesser degree, sand-silt, although silty textures can also be found in areas of alluvial sediment and finer textures on metamorphic rock.
Organic matter ranges from 2% to 4% in the arable layer and under 3% in the subsoil.
The soil in this area has a tendency to be acidic, but this is normally corrected by the wine growers. |
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Production |
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Average production in this Denomination of Origin region stands at 14 million kilos of white grape and 2 million kilos of red grape, produced in 115 wineries, 84 of which are registered under the “Adega de Colleiteiro” (wine-grower’s winery) system. Basically, this means that they produce wine using their own grapes, they cannot buy grapes and they must conform to a maximum production limit of 60,000 litres. |
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Vintage |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
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White Kg. |
15,650,000 |
13,100,000 |
15,300,000 |
16,450,000 |
19,700,000 |
17,197,000 |
11,726,000 |
9.758.726 |
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Red Kg. |
2,850,000 |
1,000,000 |
1,700,000 |
2,150,000 |
2,300,000 |
1,928,000 |
1,074,000 |
662.110 |
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"Tostado" Kg. |
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15,984 |
14,541 |
16,500 |
14,860 |
2.200 |
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Total Kg. |
18,500,000 |
14,100,000 |
17,000,000 |
18,600,000 |
22,000,000 |
19,141,500 |
12,815,000 |
10.423.036 |
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No. Wineries |
90 |
96 |
106 |
107 |
109 |
113 |
115 |
119 |
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Rating |
Verygood |
Verygood |
Excellent |
Verygood |
Verygood |
Verygood |
Excellent |
Excellent |
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WHITE GRAPES:
