Galicia & Sourrounds

Galicia has the famous Rias Baixas for Albarino and the ethereal Ribeiro. Bierzo was rejuvinated thanks in large part to Alvaro Palacios as he'd done with Priorat - he actually saw this area first but considered it more difficult than Priorat (which was a slam dunk). Mencia is the red grape that was nearly extinct under Franco's rule (he got rid of any interesting vines). Earthy, mineral spicy reds with some cool whites made from Godello - this is a region to get into if you are not familiar.