Rias Baixas
The landscapes of the Rias Baixas wine region in Spain's north-western Galicia, starkly contrast with the image many have of Spain - dry, hot, with a splash of bullfighting and flamenco. The Galicians have their own language distinct from Spanish, called "Gallego" which resembles a mix of Portuguese and Spanish. Wine labels from Galicia nearly always use Gallego. The region itself is divided into five zones and these go by the names of Val do Salnés, O Rosal, Condado do Tea, Soutomaior, and Ribera de Ulla. There are 12 grape varieties grown in the Rias Baixas wine region which are authorised by the regulatory Council, but the Albariño grape, which is a white variety accounts for over 90% of all planted vines. The six approved white grapes are, Albariño, Caiño Blanca, Godello, Loureira Blanca, Torrontés, and Treixadura, whilst the six red varieties meeting with approval are Brancellao, CaiñoTinto, Espadeiro, Loureira Tinta, Mencía and Sousón.