Condado de Huelva

Condado de Huelva is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines located in the south-east of the province of Huelva (Andalusia, Spain). The wines known as the Wines of the Discovery of America are produced there.

The winegrowing area that is currently covered by the Denominaciones de Origen Condado de Huelva and Vinagre del Condado de Huelva includes 18 municipalities, of which Bollullos Par del Condado, Almonte, Chucena, La Palma del Condado, Manzanilla, Moguer, Rociana del Condado, San Juan del Puerto and Villalba del Alcor are authorised for wine-growing by the DO Regulatory Council.

The protected area is approximately 6,000ha, with an average grape production of 40 million kg, equivalent to 320,000 hl of must. There are approximately 3,100 grape-growers in the area, either members of cooperatives or independent.

The grape growing lands covered by the DO is mainly flat or slightly undulating. In general, the soils are neutral or slightly alkali and are of average fertility. Some areas are optimal for grape growing. The average height of the vineyards is 25 m above sea level, and the soils tend to be sandy with a high lime content.

The climate in the Condado de Huelva is ideal for grape growing: mild in Winter and Spring with long hot summers tempered by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. The average temperature is around 18°C, a relative humidity of between 60% and 80%, and an average annual rainfall of around 700 mm.

The first documented and trustworthy reference to grape growing in the area is from the 14th century, even though there are legends referring to barter between the Tartessos and the Ancient Greeks, shipments of wine sent to Ancient Rome, and of the tolerance of the Muslims towards grape growing and wine making.

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Wikipedia