Mencia

Also known as: Jaen (Portugal)

Mencía belongs to the green northwest of Spain – to the slate mountains of Bierzo and the steep vineyard terraces of Ribeira Sacra. The grape variety produces medium-bodied red wines with floral notes reminiscent of violets and red berries, underpinned by a peppery accent and a mineral structure shaped by the slate soil. The body remains lean, the tannins fine, the acidity present.

For a long time, Mencía was treated as a mass producer, until a new generation of winemakers – led by Álvaro Palacios in the 1990s – recognised what old vines on barren high-altitude sites could achieve. Since then, the picture has changed: Mencía is now regarded as one of Spain’s most interesting Atlantic grape varieties.

All four Mencía wines in the range come from Sangarida in Bierzo. The project was founded by Attis (Rías Baixas) and works with old Mencía vines on slate and quartz soils. The wines are spontaneously fermented and bottled without fining or filtration – a direct expression of the variety and the terroir.