📍 Ribeiro

Ribeiro is a protected designation of origin (PDO) for wines from the Ribeiro zone in the province of Ourense, Galicia, Spain. According to its specification, the name covers still white and red wines, quality sparkling wines and a naturally sweet wine from raisined grapes sold under the traditional name "tostado".

Wines made from the principal grape varieties may carry the label term "Ribeiro castes", and wines sold as "barrica" are distinguished as well. The principal white varieties are Albariño, Albilla do Avia, Branco lexítimo, Caíño blanco, Godello, Lado, Loureira, Treixadura and Torrontés. The principal red varieties are Brancellao, Caíño bravo, Caíño longo, Caíño tinto, Espadeiro, Ferrón, Mencía, Merenzao and Sousón. Secondary varieties are Garnacha tintorera and Tempranillo (red) and Palomino (white).

The specification sets maximum yields of 13,000 kg of grapes per hectare for principal white varieties and 12,000 kg for principal red ones; for secondary varieties the limits are 19,000 kg (white) and 18,000 kg (red). New plantings need at least 3,000 vines per hectare.

Tostado is made only from principal varieties. The grapes are dried naturally under cover for at least three months, the must must contain at least 350 g/l of sugar, and no more than 40 litres of wine may come from 100 kg of dried grapes. The wine spends at least six months in contact with oak or cherry wood and at least three months in bottle; minimum acquired alcohol is 13% vol.

The production zone comprises the municipalities of Ribadavia, Arnoia, Castrelo de Miño, Carballeda de Avia, Leiro, Cenlle, Beade, Punxín and Cortegada, plus listed parishes and places in O Carballiño, Boborás, Ourense, Toén and San Amaro.

The specification records that Ribeiro was protected in 1932 by the Estatuto del Vino and that the Consejo Regulador was created by an order of 6 December 1956. A second regulation of 1976 was amended in 2004 to add tostado; the current third regulation dates from 31 July 2009.