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DO (Denominación de Origen) Spain › Galicia

Rías Baixas DO

Galicia's premier white wine appellation on Spain's Atlantic northwest coast, producing aromatic, high-acid wines primarily from Albariño; the benchmark region for this variety with five distinct subzones.

Permitted Varieties

[Albariño](/grapes/albarino)TreixaduraLoureiroCaiño BlancoGodello

Key Regulatory Constraints

  • Minimum 70% authorized varieties for DO wines
  • Albariño varietal wines 100% Albariño
  • Maximum yield 10,000 kg/ha (Albariño zones)
  • 5 official subzones with distinct regulations

Rías Baixas DO

Technical Summary

  • Classification: DO (Denominación de Origen)
  • Legal status: Protected Designation of Origin under EU wine regulations
  • Country: Spain
  • Region: Galicia (northwest Spain)
  • Geographic scope: Coastal and riverine areas of Pontevedra and A Coruña provinces
  • Core products: White wines (95%+); minor red production

Subzones (5 official):

  1. Val do Salnés - Largest; historical center; benchmark Albariño
  2. Condado do Tea - Southern; Miño River influence
  3. O Rosal - Southern; Portuguese border
  4. Ribeira do Ulla - Northern; cooler
  5. Soutomaior - Smallest; inland

Verified Constraints:

  • Varietal wines: 100% of specified variety
  • Blended wines: Minimum 70% authorized varieties
  • Maximum yield: 10,000-12,000 kg/ha (varies by subzone)
  • Minimum natural potential alcohol: 10% (white), 9% (red)

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

White varieties (authorized):

  • Albariño: Principal; dominant
  • Treixadura: Authorized; blending
  • Loureiro: Authorized; blending
  • Caiño Blanco: Authorized; minor
  • Godello: Authorized; minor
  • Loureira: Authorized; minor

Red varieties (authorized):

  • Caiño Tinto: Principal
  • Espadeiro: Authorized
  • Loureira Tinta: Authorized
  • Sousón: Authorized

Subzone Specifications

Val do Salnés:

  • Albariño dominant (near-exclusive)
  • Benchmark quality zone
  • Maximum yield: 10,000 kg/ha

Condado do Tea:

  • Albariño, Treixadura, Loureiro
  • Blends more common
  • Maximum yield: 12,000 kg/ha

O Rosal:

  • Albariño, Loureiro
  • Portuguese border influence
  • Maximum yield: 12,000 kg/ha

Yield Limits

  • Albariño zones: 10,000 kg/ha maximum (~70 hl/ha)
  • Other subzones: 12,000 kg/ha maximum
  • Premium producers: Often 6,000-8,000 kg/ha

Minimum Alcohol

  • White wines: 10% ABV minimum
  • Red wines: 9% ABV minimum
  • Typical Albariño: 12-13.5% ABV

Enological Implications

Evidence-backed:

  • Albariño produces wines with HIGH natural acidity (7-10 g/L TA)
  • Atlantic climate influence: High humidity, rainfall, moderate temperatures
  • Thiol aromatic compounds prominent (peach, citrus, grapefruit)
  • Granite soils (common in Val do Salnés) contribute mineral character

Operational observation:

  • Protein stability is essential; Albariño requires bentonite fining
  • Oxidation management critical for aromatic preservation
  • Most wines bottled young for freshness (3-6 months post-harvest)
  • Sur lie aging emerging for premium expressions (6-12 months)
  • Traditional pergola training (parras) provides humidity management

Frequent Compliance Risks

  • Varietal labeling: “Albariño” requires 100% of variety
  • Subzone claims: Must source 100% from declared subzone
  • Yield exceedance: 10,000 kg/ha limit enforced; excess declassified
  • Humidity challenges: Spray programs essential; quality sorting at harvest
  • Alcohol minimum: 10% minimum; typically not an issue

Relevant Grape Varieties

  • Albariño - principal white variety (benchmark for DO)
  • Treixadura - secondary white variety
  • Loureiro - blending component
  • Godello - minor, increasing interest

References

Last Updated: January 6, 2026