Even in DO regions which have emerged in more recent times and those with more challenging climates there is enthusiasm for similar schemes. Bierzo, located at the north-western tip of Castile and León and bordering Galicia, is keen to put villages and locations on the map with both the Vinos de Villa and Vinos de Paraje classifications. Indeed giving the nature of this DO which, like Priorat, tends to feature small vineyard holdings and a rich variety of locations, the move arguably makes good sense having put its flagship red grape Mencía on the wine map.
Here Losada Vinos de Finca has played an important role in defining the new style of Bierzo wines with winemaker Amancio Fernández at the helm. Turning to the region’s new classifications, the bodega is now backing both horses with one Vino de Paraje – Altos de Losada La Bienquerida - and two Vino de Villa wines – Villa de San Lorenzo and Villa de Valtuille de Arriba - already in the market. Fernández is keen to point out that gaining the official classifications are far more relevant for marketing the wines as he explains: “We were already working along these lines in the bodega – our winemaking hasn’t changed – the classifications are geared to help the consumer to discover the diversity on offer.”
