Does anyone remember their early tasting experiences with Mencía? One of those grapes that is hard to forget mostly due to the, “where the heck is that?” factor of the main region where it grows. What is this fresh, acidic, light red from northern Spain?
If you’re new to Mencía, welcome! It’s hard not to love this grape. The Bierzo DO, located in the mountains of the northwest of Spain between Galicia and the Meseta Central, is the home of Mencía. The wines made here are usually lighter in style with medium to high acidity and red fruit and with some savory herbaceousness in the flavor palate.
It hasn’t always been easy to find Mencía on retail shelves or wine lists around town. But that all has changed. Now, we can find wines like La Perra Gorda in several wine shops and on top wine lists around Miami.
La Perra Gorda Mencía 2020
This wine by Altos de San Esteban is classic 100% Mencía from 25-year-old vines. It opens with a super-expressive nose of red fruits with black cherry and baking spices. On the palate, juicy fruit mixes with earthiness and peppery spice sprinkled in with a bit of balsamic or umami characteristic. There is depth and freshness along with light tannins and that high acidity that holds it all together in a medium body. Overall, presenting a fresh wine with vivid fruit, savory depth, and a food-worthy structure.
La Perra Gorda Mencía is the perfect Miami summer red that can be enjoyed chilled or even alongside pork or chicken with mushrooms and spiced potatoes.
Find it at The Allocation Room in Coconut Grove for $22 retail, or on the wine list at The Gibson Room on Coral Way.
You can discover more wines we are drinking in our “Wine” section on Wine Guide Miami.
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.
