The wine of the Land of Cangas

Latitude: 43.1770592 Length: -6.5491285
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Today, for the past decade, new winemakers have been trying to preserve this enviable heritage. Although the humidity of the Cantabrian coast doesn't seem conducive to winemaking, the truth is that Cangas del Narcea enjoys a unique microclimate , resulting in a vineyard brimming with native grape varieties.

Cangas PDO Wine Cellars

The wines of Cangas currently have five wineries registered with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): Monasterio de Corias, Muriella, Chicote, Chacón Buelta, and Bodegas Vides y Vino de Asturias . This designation provides Cangas wine with protection and distinction within the European Union.

The geographical production area encompasses the municipalities of Cangas del Narcea, Ibias, Grandas de Salime, Illano, Allande, and Pesoz , as well as Degaña , which currently boasts a significant winery that uses grapes from Asturian production. In all cases, it is a light wine with hints of oak, a pleasant taste, a touch of acidity, and a balanced alcohol content : a minimum of 10,5% for the red and 9,5% for the white.

Their winemaking methods follow traditional formulas. The different types of indigenous grapes used are: Carrasquín, Berdejo, and Albarín . The most widely produced variety is Mencía, imported at the end of the 19th century after the phylloxera plague. The color of the red wine ranges from violet-red to purple-red, while the white ranges from straw yellow to yellowish-green. According to wine tastings, two grape varieties stand out above the rest: Albarín Negrín and Albarín Blanco ; the latter being the one in which the winemakers place the most confidence. Based on tastings, the general characteristics of the different vintages can be summarized in these attributes: an aroma reminiscent of a damp cave, with hints of cherry, and a light palate with a touch of acidity reminiscent of cider.

Good DOP Cangas reds

If you want to enjoy good wines to accompany your meals, we present you:

The vineyards in this area are planted in slate soils , typically on slopes, and are over 80 years old. The vineyards are made up of small plots that create a labyrinthine and somewhat chaotic landscape. Planting density ranges from 3.000 to 6.000 vines per hectare, with a maximum grape yield of 10.000 kilos per hectare. All participating producers and wineries must undergo various controls, including declaring the harvest and notifying the harvest date.

Harvest Festival in Cangas del Narcea

It is precisely the grape harvest, and more specifically the Grape Harvest Festival, that annually showcases all the know-how and good wine of this land to all those who come to the town of Cangas del Narcea.

In mid-October, the town's central streets fill with stalls selling crafts and traditional products. Heavily escorted, the cart and the grapes parade through the streets, ready to be trodden according to tradition in Plaza de la Oliva, in front of the Cangas Basilica. To the sound of bagpipes and drums, and led by the various brotherhoods that gather, the cart moves through the crowd to the plaza. The grapes are carried in bundles and trodden with nothing but the bare feet of the young men. After this ceremony, a grand cider tasting is held in an adjacent tent, featuring local products and more Cangas wine. Throughout the day, free tours are offered to the wineries along the Narcea River and the more traditional ones in the popular Santiso neighborhood.

Harvest Festival 2025

Cangas del Narcea hosts every… Read more

At any time of year, you can visit two wine museums or interpretation centers in the area . One is located in Pesoz , and it presents the history of winemaking in the municipality. Wine is produced in its cellar, training courses are offered, and tastings are held.

The other center is located in the town of Cangas del Narcea itself , and its origins are linked to the presence of a small monastery from the early 11th century. The two-hundred-year-old building features an antique grape press as the centerpiece of its exhibition.

Cangas del Narcea Wine Museum

Although the humidity in the Cantabrian region is not ideal for wine harvests, in Cangas del … Read more