The Wine Reference🍷 SupportMencía grape
Mencía is a red grape known for red cherry, blackberry, herbs. Its best-known homes are Bierzo.
Origin and history
An old variety of north-west Iberia, native to León and Galicia; DNA shows it is the same grape as Portugal's Jaen, though the two countries debate where it began.
Where it grows
Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei in north-west Spain, and Portugal's Dão (as Jaen).
Structure
Light to medium body, fresh acidity and fine, medium tannins; old-vine and slate-grown examples gain more depth and grip.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, blackberry, violets and fresh herbs. With age: dried cherry, liquorice, earth and graphite.
Ageing
Most drink well within 2–5 years; top old-vine Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra can age 10–15 years.
Also known as
Jaen (Portugal), Mencía Negra.
Good to know
Ribeira Sacra's vines grow on dizzying Roman-era terraces above the Sil and Miño rivers, earning the name 'heroic viticulture'.
Wine regions for Mencía
Mencía wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Guímaro Guímaro Tinto
Fresh, crunchy Mencía from steep slate terraces, red berries, violets and a mineral edge.
Food: Grilled pork, empanada gallega, mushroom rice
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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