Envínate Lousas Parcela Camiño Real Mencía Ribeira Sacra DO

Ribeira Sacra DO, Spain

Single-parcel Mencía from the Camiño Real slate terrace; old-vine (60+ years) on near-vertical schist terraces above the Sil canyon. Graphite, wild cherry, violets, iron mineral, and dried herbs. Light in colour but enormous in complexity and texture — the paradox of great Mencía. Whole-bunch, ambient yeasts, 12 months in large Galician oak.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Slate Mencía's iron mineral and cherry fruit complement crispy suckling pig; chestnut echoes wine's earthy depth
• main: Ribeira Sacra red with Galician octopus is a bold cross-category pairing; slate mineral bridges grilled seafood
• main: Lousas Mencía's graphite and wild cherry match the gamey intensity of wild boar; quince bridges fruit and acid