WHERE WE ARE?
La Iglesia, 11
24546 ARGANZA
Tel.: 0034 987 548054
Fax: 0034 987 548028
e-mail: pittacum@pittacum.com
We belong to the Denomination of Origin the Bierzo:
Geography
Situated in the Northwest of the Province of Leon, The Bierzo extends over 2.954,28 km2 and covers 18% of the total provincial surface area. It has boundaries with the provinces of Orense, Lugo, Oviedo, and is as such an area of transition between Galicia, León and Asturias.
The Bierzo is a series of small valleys within this mountainous area and the lower Bierzo constitutes a vast and flat depression, both of which determine the crop types.
The Climate
The area has a very special microclimate. Its mild, calm and rather temperate climate is regulated by a humidity similar to the humidity of Galicia. But it is also boasts Castilian dryness so maintaining a characteristic water balance. Its low altitude prevents late frosts on the whole which makes it mild enough for early grape harvesting that generally takes place a month earlier than the rest of Castile and the Rioja.
The highest and lowest temperatures are recorded in winter and summer, the average temperature being 12.3ēC, the average lows registering at 3.6ēC in the winter months and the average highs at 23.6ēC in the summer months.
Rainfall is in the order of 721mm/year.
The average number of hours of sunlight is between 2,100 and 2,200 hours annually.
The Soil
The mountain soil constitutes a mixture of refined elements, quartzite, chalks, and the lowland areas of the valleys are enriched by the continuous benefits of the soil on the slopes. In the Bierzo region the vineyards are situated primarily on damp black and slightly acidic soil and as such lack the carbonates typical of humid climates.
The levels of acidity oscillate between 4 and 8.5; the levels that predominate in the valleys are above 6. The calcium oxide levels are low and do not reach 3,000 kg/hectare, except in the rich lowland areas. Maximum levels of organic materials and nitrogen are between 2 and 4%. The valleys show greater levels of richness on average than the slopes due to the higher density of cattle raising on the former.
The levels of humidification and nitrification are acceptable as the Carbon/Nitrogen relationship is of 11.9 in the valleys and 11 in the rich lowland areas. There is a lack of phosphorous in the area, with levels lower than 100g and this scarcity is accentuated on the slopes of the valley. The K20 content is acceptable with average levels at 700 y 685 kg/hectare on the valleys and slopes respectively.
A determining factor for the quality of the grapes is their location. The vines are situated on slightly inclined terraces closest to the rivers, on semi-terraced slopes or on vines with pronounced inclination and at altitudes of between 450 and 1,000 metres.
Types of grape
The production of protected wines will take place exclusively with authorised varieties. The main varieties that stand out is the Mencia amongst the red and amongst the white, the Doña Blanca and Godello.