
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.
- Pinot Noir3627
- Other Red Blends2326
- Cabernet Sauvignon2288
- Bordeaux Red Blends1773
- Syrah/Shiraz1479
- Rhône Blends1130
- Tempranillo807
- Merlot757
- Sangiovese736
- Nebbiolo666
- Zinfandel619
- Other Red Wine515
- Malbec416
- Grenache247
- Cabernet Franc246
- Barbera228
- Petite Sirah194
- Gamay161
- Tuscan Blends144
- Carmenere96
- Mourvedre80
- Pinotage74
- Dolcetto69
- Montepulciano57
- Aglianico55
- Primitivo52
- Nero d'Avola48
- Blaufrankisch40
- Sagrantino35
- Lagrein26
- Petit Verdot26
- Mencia24
- Bonarda23
- Refosco21
- Negroamaro20
- Teroldego17
- Zweigelt17
- Touriga Nacional16
- St. Laurent16
- Carignan15
- Tannat6
- Nerello Mascalese6
- Corvina5
- Grignolino5
- Bobal4
- Xinomavro4
- Pinot Meunier3
- Trousseau3
- Cinsault2
- Agiorgitiko2
- Alicante Bouschet2
- Gaglioppo2
- Mondeuse2
- Valdiguie1
- Baga1
- Schiava1
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Dominio de Tares Mencia Baltos 2009Mencia from Spain
- WE
- D
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Vinos de Arganza Alvarez de Toledo Mencia Roble 2009Mencia from Spain
- RP
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Martin Sarmiento Cuatro Pasos Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
- RP
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Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos 2009Mencia from Spain
- WS
- RP
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Bodegas Avancia Valdeorras Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
- RP
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Adega Pena das Donas Ribeira Sacra Verdes Matas Mencia 2009Mencia from Ribera del Duero, Spain
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Telmo Rodriguez Valdeorras Gaba do Xil Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
- W&S
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Losada Bierzo 2009Mencia from Spain
- WE
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Bodegas y Vinedos Luna Beberide Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
- W&S
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Tridente Avante Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
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Descendientes de Jose Palacios Corullon 2009Mencia from Spain
- WS
- RP
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Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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Casal Novo Mencia 2009Mencia from Valdeorras, Spain
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Vinos Valtuille Pago de Valdoneje Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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Bodegas Pittacum Aurea Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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Bodegas Adria Pazo de Arribi Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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ViniGalicia Via Romana Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
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Abadia da Cova Mencia a Fuega 2009Mencia from Spain
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La Mano Roble Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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Adega Ponte Da Boga Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain
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Bodegas del Abad Abad Dom Bueno Roble Mencia 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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ViniGalicia Verdes Castros Mencia 2009Mencia from Valdeorras, Spain
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Mengoba Mencia de Espanillo 2009Mencia from Bierzo, Spain
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Bodegas Raul Perez Bierzo Dargo Mencia 2009Mencia from Spain