Mary writes:
This week’s definition comes from Spain.
Mencia is a red grape from northwest Spain. Traditionally it was a lighter bodied, fragrant red wine in the Denominaciones de Origen (guarantee of origin) of the Galician territories of Bierzo, Rias Baixas and Valdeorras.
But with the younger winemakers a much more concentrated, full-bodied wine is now the norm from this grape.
Many locals believe this vine is related to babernet franc because the fragrance is so similar; as such they called it cabernet.
But after DNA testing determined there was no relation, they’ve had to break the habit.
