Description

Could Bierzo be one of the world’s greatest terroirs? Undoubtedly. Winemakers in the region are already producing some of the finest wines in Spain today and there is potential for so many more to emerge in the coming years.

In the last week of May, I spent a week in Bierzo visiting 37 wineries, as well as receiving samples from a further six producers. I tasted nearly 300 wines which are currently in the market (or about to be released) and was also fortunate to sample many older vintage wines which revealed the ageing potential of the region’s reds and, indeed, whites.

So, what will you find in this report? Certainly, there are a lot of very high-scoring wines from some of the region’s established superstars. These are names that have not only put Bierzo on the map but have pushed the boundaries of how Spanish wines are perceived, both within and outside the country. But there are probably many names you don’t know and new wines waiting for you to discover.

It is one of the most comprehensive tastings of a region which I have been visiting for many years and thought I understood. But in reality, this is a region so rich in viticultural heritage and complexities that this report only starts to scratch the surface.

Beth Willard