Mencia is a grape variety that traditionally produced light, pale, relatively fragrant red wines for early consumption. More recent hillside plantings and careful vineyard management have produced bigger wines of greater depth and ageworthiness. It is thought to be identical to Portugal's Jaen grape variety. It was once thought to be an ancient clone of Cabernet Franc, an impression which has been dispelled with DNA testing.
Plantings exceed 9,500 ha in the Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra regions of Spain, but confusingly, the same name can be used for a local strain of Cabernet Franc introduced to Galicia in the 19th century.
Since the 1970s, the grape is increasing in popularity, and an increasing number of noted Spanish winemakers are now working with it.
See also
References
Further reading
- J. Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, The, 2nd ed.
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