Lois Diéguez, writer
"Wine is the blood of de Ribeira Sacra"
Lois Diéguez was born in Monforte de Lemos in the forties; a native of the Ribeira Sacra, he recounts its history in the book, '??Viajes a las Tierras encantadas de Lemos? (Journeys in the enchanted land of Lemos). Topographical engineer by profession, writer by vocation, politician by conviction, tireless traveller by inclination and great conversationalist. Lois Diéguez talks to us about the Ribeira Sacra, the wine, the past, the present, and the future.
When you think of the Ribeira Sacra,... what does it evoke?
River in plural, the rivers. The most important natural phenomena of the Ribeira Sacra are the three rivers, the Mino, the Sil and the Cabe.
Does this mean, what you like about the Ribeira Sacra most is the rivers?
The rivers,....the mountain. In the sacred lands there is always a high point that dominates and embellishes, and becomes a myth. Also, the Romanesque influence is very important that has helped to humanize this unique landscape.
And what about the wine?
The wine is an essential part of everything that represents the Ribeira Sacra. It is here that the terraces were created scaling the river valleys, an artificial construction that respected nature, following a unique design that isn´t seen on other riverside landscapes. The area was kept wooded in harmony with the terraces.
The wine is key to the landscape of the Ribeira Sacra, but it is also important as a cultural tradition. The Romans, the hermits and, later, the vine growers strengthened and still strengthen their own history and it has created this miracle in the natural landscape, as well as, producing products of great quality for drinking and pleasure.
You are from the Ribeira Sacra, has the area changed much from when you were little until now?
Before the land was worked more. The countryside around us would explode with colours, the seasons were more defined, the people lived in total communication with nature,... and today there are many forgotten uncultivated areas. But on the other hand, we appreciate the advance made in restoring the monuments and creating the beginning of infrastructures and the education necessary in order for us to appreciate the great monument that we possess.
What are your memories about wine?
My first years were very involved with the culture of wine. I used to wait for harvest time excitedly, it would take us into the night and we would go with the cart and the chest through the mountains of Augalevada in order to get to the Valley of Frades where we had the vineyards. That was the peak of happiness, with the gang of boys, the songs, feasting under the shade of the trees. Manuel María always used to say that people are sadder if they aren´t taught about the traditions of wine and I think this is true.
What do you think about the wine from the Ribeira Sacra, does it have something special and unique when compared with other wines?
In the Ribeira Sacra they work with care, believing in what they do and it is this which gives the wine its own taste, colour and aroma. The wines of the Ribeira Sacra exude the characteristics of the soil that we have and it takes from it this joy on the palate, that is full of the scent of apples, liquorice, cherries and herbs. These are our products, aren´t they?
Would it be the Ribeira Sacra without the wine?
Those of us that were born and brought up here know that the wine is the blood of this land, and this is what we can offer to visitors. In Japan, America, Europe...in much of the world they already know our wines. Now we have to let the people know who taste our wines that we know who we are and what we have.
A final reflection, something that remains to be said, is the Ribeira Sacra the best place in the world?
I support the petition to the Patrimonio de la Humanidad for the Ribeira Sacra because it has enough elements for it to get this recognition. In terms of promoting tourism, I have to say that they spend a lot of money in an anarchic and uncontrolled manner. There is definitely disorganisation and institutional disconnection at this level. It could do better with less money. It has to do new, original, scientifically proved things, and work together on common goals from a coordinated plan. This would be our greatest strength.