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The Mencía Grape


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About Mencía

(Synonyms: Dão, Jaen, Jaen du Dão, Loureiro Tinto, Mencía Pajaral)

Background

Map showing the regions where Mencía is today grown

Mencía is a red-wine grape originating in Spain, where it is today grown primarily in the appellations of Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, and Valdeorras, which lie in the regions of Castile y Leon and Galicia. It was formerly a relatively minor varietal, but over the past two decades has emerged into notably greater popularity.

In older days, Mencía was usually made as a light-bodied, light-colored, aromatic (and often somewhat astringent) red for early consumption—a sort of Spanish Beaujolais. More recently (as with many grapes) its potential for greater things has been recognized, and significantly deeper, richer, more complex versions are being made, with old-vine bottlings leading the way.

Descriptions of the better Mencías of today are typical of any good red: dark fruit (black cherry, raspberry, blackberry), herbs, earthiness. Remember, it was long confused with Cab Franc, so there is another guideline. But if those sound generic, be assured that most tasters find Mencia distinctive and clearly varietal; as one winemaker put it, “the world didn’t need another claret.“

Factoid: Mencía is apparently the same grape as Portugal’s Jaen. It is not at all related to Cabernet Franc, though such a relation was long suspected owing to similarities of aromas.

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Some Descriptions of Mencía Wines

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Some Mencías to Try

(About this list.)

Mencia is another fine but seriously under-appreciated Spanish red. There are some nice bargains out there.


Senorio de la Antigua Mencia “Finca Cabalena”

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.



Descendientes de José Palacios “Pétalos” Mencía

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.



Raul Pérez Saint Jacques “Ultreia”

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.



Raul Pérez “El Castro de Valtuille” Mencia Joven

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.



Godelia Mencia

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.

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For a Splurge

Our nomination is the Raul Pérez Rapolao “Ultreia” which retails at about $35 to $90.

• This wine’s Wine Searcher “Reviews” page.
• This wine’s CellarTracker review pages.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by Wine Searcher.
• Retail offers of this wine listed by 1000 Corks.

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This page was last modified on Monday, 8 November 2021, at 10:21 am Pacific Time.