Rías Baixas

DO area (span.Rías Bajas) in the province of Pontevedra in the southwest of the region of Galicia(Spain) on the Atlantic coast bordering Portugal. The name means "lower bays" and refers to four narrow sea bays reaching deep into the land, formed from flooded valleys of the Ría de Muros y Noia, Ría de Arousa, Ría de Pontevedra and Ría de Vigo rivers. There are five subzones, all dominated by the white Albariño (Alvarinho), which occupies 95% of the vineyards:

• Condado do Tea (County of Tea): named after the Tea (tributary of the Miño), this mountainous area is the second largest, with around 550 hectares on granite and slate soils. It is located near the border with Portugal at the town of Ponteareas.
• O Rosal: This area is located near the coast, south of the city of Vigo. The terraced vineyards cover over 300 hectares on granite and alluvial soils along the river Miño.
• Ribeira do Ulla: The area covers around 50 hectares on mainly alluvial soils. It is located south of the famous pilgrimage site and destination of the Way of St. James, Santiago de Compostela. Mainly red wines grow here.
• Soutomaior: The smallest area, with 20 hectares on sandy soils over granite bedrock, is located on the river Verdugo near Pontevedra. Only Albariño is grown here.
• Val do Salnés: The largest area, with 1,500 hectares on granite, rock and alluvial soils, is considered the origin of the Albariño grape. It is located on the lower reaches of the Umia River near the coast north of Pontevedra. It is the coldest and wettest area.