We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
Released in only the best red-wine years, and with age, Carballo is Valdesil’s top Mencía. It’s crafted from a small collection of ancient pezas on the extremely steep, north-facing slopes of Carballeda de Valdeorras - home to some of the highest vines in Galicia, growing in the purest black-slate rock. You might call it one of Raúl Prada’s passion projects.
The winemaking is more involved than for the standard Valderroa Mencía. After strict sorting, the grapes are destemmed and fermented in concrete and matured in neutral oak for 16 months. Displaying aromas of sweet dark cherry, liquorice and blood orange, it’s an elegant and refreshing Galician red. Not short of grit, it has impressive length of flavour that rings with a pure cassis note. It would pair beautifully with a Galician sirloin.
Type | Red Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Mencia |
Country | Spain |
Region | Valdeorras |
Brand | Bodegas Valdesil |
Vintage | 2018 |
Wines of Spain
With 2.9 million acres of land planted in wine grapes, Spain is the most widely planted wine producing nation and second largest producer in the world. Many styles of wine are produced in the country most of which are based on native grape varietals.
The two most famous regions are Rioja and Ribera del Duero for their Tempranillo production. Rioja Tempranillo (the classic) will be lighter and fresher with red fruit flavours as compared to those from Ribera del Duero that are often deep purple, higher in alcohol with more tannins and intense black fruit character. Rioja is also known for producing Garnacha (Grenache), as well as rich, nutty whites from the indigenous Viura varietal.
In the Catalonia region, Spain is recognized for making a sparkling wine in the traditional method but using native grape varieties. This is called Cava. Priorat, a subregion within Catalonia specializes in making still red blends of Garnacha, Carignan and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in a bold and full-bodied style. Together with Rioja, wines from Priorat have achieved DOCa/DOQ status signifying their quality.
Sherry is Spain’s famous fortified wine which can either be completely dry, lusciously sweet or somewhere in between. This is made in the southern region of Jerez.
Other notable Spanish wine styles include: Monastrell (AKA. Mataro/Mourvèdre), produced in the Jumilla region and refreshing white Albariño and Verdejo from north western Galacia.