
Mencia
Learn about Mencia — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Calling the far western appellations of the Iberian Peninsula home, Mencia was once only deemed capable of producing simple and light red wines. But post-phylloxera growers only planted this variety on low, fertile plains, which produced high yields and uncomplicated finished wines. The recent rediscovery of the ancient, abandoned vines planted on rugged hillsides of deep schist has unveiled the potential of Mencia and added discredit to its old reputation. Primarily found in the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras regions of Spain and in the Dão of Portugal (where it is called Jaen), Mencia is an early ripening, low acid grape that can produce wines of great concentration, complexity and ageability.
Tasting Notes for Mencia
Mencia is a dry, red wine that possess characters such as raspberry, red currant, boysenberry, pomegranate, black licorice, spice cake, black pepper, Asian spice and crushed gravel. Some styles remain light and fruit-dominant while the more serious versions, aged in new oak, more complexity and concentration.
Perfect Food Pairings for Mencia
Mencia is excellent with all manner of meat dishes: Steak au Poivre, corned beef, charcuterie, game, and carne asada, to name a few. Mencia will also work with many vegetarian dishes such as grilled portabello, mushroom risotto, wild rice pilaf and smoked tofu.
Sommelier Secrets for Mencia
Never had Mencia? Well if you like Pinot Noir and other aromatic reds (like Gamay), definitely investigate Mencia. Many affordable options abound as well as higher-end, more complex versions. Often the latter contain other varieties for adding depth and complexity, or come from the extremely old vines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon716
- Pinot Noir670
- Bordeaux Red Blends587
- Other Red Blends328
- Tempranillo207
- Rhône Blends171
- Syrah/Shiraz149
- Malbec145
- Sangiovese143
- Merlot127
- Zinfandel101
- Nebbiolo79
- Grenache61
- Cabernet Franc53
- Gamay38
- Tuscan Blends36
- Barbera28
- Petite Sirah25
- Carmenere20
- Other Red Wine19
- Mourvedre15
- Montepulciano13
- Carignan12
- Mencia12
- Nero d'Avola10
- Dolcetto9
- Pinotage9
- Aglianico8
- Primitivo7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bonarda4
- Corvina4
- Cinsault3
- Negroamaro3
- Tannat3
- Touriga Nacional2
- Frappato2
- Sagrantino2
- Zweigelt2
- Petit Verdot1
- Valdiguie1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Blaufrankisch1
- Freisa1
- Gaglioppo1
- Grignolino1
- Refosco1
- St. Laurent1
-
Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla Premium Mencia 2020Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- JS
-
Bodegas Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques 2018Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- RP
- V
- W&S
-
Vinos de Arganza Flavium Premium Crianza Mencia 2019Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
-
Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos 2019Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- RP
- JS
-
Descendientes de Jose Palacios Corullon 2019Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- RP
- JS
-
Vinos de Arganza Flavium Seleccion Mencia 2019Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
-
Godelia Mencia Bierzo 2012Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- WE
- TP
- WS
- RP
-
Ladeiras do Xil Gaba do Xil Mencia 2017Mencia from Valdeorras, Spain
- RP
-
Bodegas Avancia Old Vines Mencia 2019Mencia from Valdeorras, Spain
- JS
-
D. Ventura Pena do Lobo 2017Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- V
-
Bodegas Raul Perez Ultreia la Vitoriana 2019Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
- RP
-
Bodegas Avancia Cuvee de O Mencia 2018Mencia from Valdeorras, Spain
- JS
- V
- RP