Cantabria

Autonomous region in the north of Spain between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay. It is surrounded by Asturias, Castile-León and the Basque Country and is part of "Green Spain". Unlike the other regions, viticulture does not have a centuries-long tradition here. This is mainly due to the deep and wet soil caused by frequent rainfall. Therefore, cattle breeding and agriculture with maize and potatoes are in the foreground here. The preferred alcoholic beverages are the cider known as "Sidar", and the marc brandy "Orujo lebaniego". There are two IGP areas(Landweon) Costa de Cantabria and Líebana, but no DO areas yet. The red wine varieties Alfrocheiro, Hondarribi Beltza, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are mainly cultivated, as well as the white wine varieties Hondarribi Zuri (but see there) and Picapoll Blanco.