Ribeiro at a glance Location: province of Ourense, Galicia, in northwest SpainStatus: DO (protected designation of origin) since 1932Climate: Atlantic-influenced, cool nights, about 950 mm of rain a yearSoil: granite and sandy loam, often on terracesGrapes: Treixadura, Godello, Albariño, Sousón, Caíño and morePairs with: fish, shellfish and grilled meatWhat makes Ribeiro special? Ribeiro is one of Spain's oldest wine regions: it has had its own designation of origin (DO) since 1932 and mainly makes fresh, mineral white wine. The vineyards lie in the valleys of the Miño, Avia and Arnoia rivers, in the northwest of the province of Ourense.
The area is small: there are just over 1,200 hectares of vineyard, spread over 93 wineries. The vines grow up to about 450 metres, often on terraces. The climate is Atlantic-influenced, with an average of 14.5 °C and about 950 millimetres of rain a year. The surrounding mountains bring cool nights, and the soils are mostly granite and sandy loam.
Which grapes are used in Ribeiro? Ribeiro wine is made mostly from native grapes, with Treixadura as the best-known white grape.
White Ribeiro is made from grapes such as Treixadura, Godello, Torrontés, Loureira, Lado, Caíño Blanco and Albariño . About 90 percent of production is white. For red wine, grapes such as Brancellao, Caíño, Sousón, Ferrón, Mencía, Espadeiro and Merenzao are used. In a traditional red blend, Brancellao adds structure, Caíño aroma and Sousón colour.
What does wine from Ribeiro taste like? White Ribeiro tastes fresh and dry, with flowers, fresh fruit, lively acidity and a mineral finish. Red Ribeiro has red and black fruit, violets and spice, with fresh acidity and a slender structure. Both styles are more elegant than heavy.
Which wines from Ribeiro can you buy at ONWINE? Right now you can buy Ribeiro wine at ONWINE from DVagar Adegas , a biodynamic family winery in the Avia valley. The family bought its first vineyard plots in O Ibedo in 1970, which grew into Finca Vasqueira, and in 2021 the third generation began making its own wine. DVagar works only with native grapes and uses granite to make the wine. The name means "slowly" in Galician.
Fresh and elegant: white The 'Finca Vasqueira' Castes Brancas is a blend of 70% Treixadura and 30% Godello from granite-rich plots. It ages for ten months in stainless steel tanks and French oak and is fresh, mineral, complex and elegant. It suits fish, shellfish and poultry.
Mineral and exclusive: Treixadura Granito The 'Napedra' Treixadura Granito is made from 100% Treixadura from Finca Vasqueira. The wine ferments and ages for eleven months in granite from the same vineyard and is mineral, pure, refined and elegant. 2,000 bottles are made each year.
Characterful: red The 'Finca Vasqueira' Castes Tintas is a red blend of Sousón and Caíño from four terraces in Finca Vasqueira. It ages for twelve months in French oak and has dark fruit, spice, freshness and structure. 600 bottles are made each year.
Which one suits you? You like fresh white wine. Choose the Castes Brancas.
You want white with mineral tension. Choose the Napedra Treixadura Granito.
You want red with freshness. Choose the Castes Tintas.
You want to taste first. Choose the DVagar Adegas Tasting Case , with white and red wine.
What food goes with Ribeiro wine? White Ribeiro goes with fish, shellfish and light dishes, red Ribeiro with grilled meat, game and stews. The fresh acidity and mineral note also make white Ribeiro a good match for Galician classics such as boiled octopus and empanada. Aged cheese goes well with the reds.
Buy Ribeiro wine at ONWINE At ONWINE you buy wine directly from the winemaker, and on our winemakers page you can read who is behind the wine. Shipping is free from 12 bottles from the same winemaker. You can find more white wine in our Spanish white wine and more red wine in our Spanish red wine .
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Frequently asked questions about Ribeiro wine What is the difference between Ribeiro and Rías Baixas? Ribeiro lies inland in the province of Ourense and is best known for Treixadura, while Rías Baixas lies on the Galician coast and is best known for Albariño. Both make fresh white wine, but Ribeiro wines are often blends of several native grapes. You can read more about this grape on our page about Albariño .
At what temperature do you serve Ribeiro? Serve white Ribeiro chilled at 10 to 12 °C and red Ribeiro slightly cooler than room temperature at 16 to 18 °C.
How long can you keep wine from Ribeiro? Young, fresh wines are best drunk in the first two to three years. Wines with longer ageing, such as a red Ribeiro, can often last five years or longer. Store the bottles lying down, cool and dark.
