Grape: Mencía

Mencía (pronounced men*THEE*ah) is a rarely understood grape when it comes to this side of the world. It is often referred to as "Spanish Pinot" but to be honest, that description doesn't sit quite right with me. Sure, especially compared to the Grenache and Tempranillo that drives Spain's more famous wines, Mencía is perfumed and aromatic, but there is a heft to them that "Spanish Pinot" doesn't do justice. A rustic inertia that announces itself loudly and then once there just makes everything seem a bit more pleasant.

Think of plums and blackcurrants with an intense floral violet quality.

Descendientes de J. Palacios are unquestionably the world's best Mencía producers. If you have ever been curious about the grape, this is the one to try.