Spanish Wine’s not just about bold and brassy Rioja’s…

There are some amazing grape varieties that really pack a punch… Mencía is one such example. It has become, at least for me, my ‘go to’ grape when I see it on a wine list.

It’s a grape that only grows in the north west of Spain and Portugal, which is why it’s not that well known. It produces wonderfully complex and interesting wines with hints of raspberry, liquorice and pomegranate, not entirely unlike Pinot Noir or Gamay. 

One fantastic example is called ‘Quite’ produced by Veronica Ortega, one of Spain’s leading young wine producers. She makes some cracking wines in Spain’s Bierzo region, using organic methods and even uses amphorae for part of the aging process. 

‘Quite’ is a real food wine bursting with herbal notes, strong red fruits, dark berry, warm spices and black tea - perfect with roast pork, beef brisket, a whole range of charcuterie, and cheeses like Manchego and Cheddar.

Another grape from Castilla y León, also shared with neighbouring Portugal is Rufete, a grape even rarer than Mencía. Wine makers who use it are creating some truly fantastic wines… There are two types of Rufete, a light red grape, and Rufete Blanca, which is rarer again still. Two stunning examples are produced by an organic winery in Sierra de Salamanca, the red, ‘Vinas del Cambrico Rufete’, is brim full of fruit, with hints of balsamic, raspberry and blackberry. The white, ‘Vinas del Cambrico Rufete blanca Granito’, is simply outstanding, with incredibly complex notes of sherry, green apple, fennel and stone fruits, finished with a hint of oak. 

These wines and similar examples can be found at selected independent local wine merchants, or through a number of online outlets.

Author : (James Ratcliffe, co-owner of The Black Bull, Sedbergh)