Reinventing Galicia

Miguel Crunia is a sommelier and founder of Edinburgh-based importer and online wine shop Fìon. He’s also a proud Gallego. His group ‘Grupo Orixe’ is advocating for a more terroir-based understanding of Galician wines, and even pushing for a new pyramid of quality based on villages and historic vineyards. We sat down to talk about the challenges of selling Galicia, how he tries to represent smaller wineries, and his vision for the Galicia of tomorrow.

Galicia is Home to 40% of Spain’s Winegrowers: Report

Galicia’s winegrowers make up 39.9% of the national total, making it the autonomous community with the largest number of growers. “The Economic and Social Importance of the Wine Sector in Galicia” confirms wine’s importance as a motor of the Galician economy and also reflects the role grape growing plays in stemming demographic losses sustained in rural Galicia.

Xurxo Alba inside a foudre during harvest in Rías Baixas

Xurxo Alba: El Capitán

Xurxo Alba quickly established himself as a rising star in Rías Baixas, working out of his family’s furancho-turned-winery Bodegas Almabar. Today, it’s safe to say that he stands among the region’s great growers and winemakers. From the home base in Rías Baixas, he’s gone on to create projects in Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras.