Galicia Tourist Guide 2018

Vineyards inMaín. Leiro

Priory of O Ribeiro

A Arnoia is the best way to get to know this area of Ourense. Classi- fied under the Ribeiro designation of origin , A Arnoia is one of the areas of Galicia with the greatest winema- king tradition. This town, located on the banks of the Fieira reservoir, combines wi- nemaking with hot springs, since it has a spa with waters laden with sul- phur and fluoride that run at 22 de- grees Celsius. From its terraces, you can look out at the forests lining the banks of the Miño River . If you take a catamaran out, you can sail to the old spa located in Cortega-

da. Its modernist architecture will transport you back to the 1930s. A Arnoia is famous for its peppers , which are prepared in many diffe- rent ways: stuffed, in omelettes, fried, roasted or grilled. Every August, this staple is honoured with a special festival. Near Ourense, at the Pazo of Casano- va , you can visit the wine cellar inside this 18th century construction. Here they grow godello, loureira, albariño and treixadura grapes . They will also explain the research projects that are currently under-

way to help develop and change the region's wines. You mustn't leave without tasting the wines and aguar- diente (pomace brandies). In the municipality of Leiro, on the way to Ribadavia, you will find the Viña Meín wine cellar , surrounded by grapevines. The old house, which was once used to produce wine, is now used for rural tourism. Nearby is the Monastery of San Clo- dio , which is considered to be the birthplace of Ribeiro wine, since its Cistercians monks were the first to plant grapevines on these hillsides. Today, it serves as a hotel , but visitors

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