Sometimes you just need to venture out of your comfort zone, and for me that means heading to Spain! Tonight I am enjoying a bottle of the 2006 Luzdivina Amigo Vina de Moya, a Mencia wine from Bierzo, Castilla Leon, Spain. Now I'll be the first to admit my ignorance on Spanish wines, outside of an occasional glass of Tempranillo, so it's exciting to try a new varietal from an unfamiliar area.
Now apparently the Mencia grape has been cultivated in the Bierzo region of Spain since Roman times, so there is some history, and the grape itself is thought to be related to Cabernet Franc. The wine itself is a deep purple color with a hint of ruby around the edges. The wine has a nose of cedar and spice, with a bit of earthy oakiness (is that a real word?) and leather as well. The taste is reminiscent of a cab franc, but veers off in a different direction than the cab francs I've tried, with very subtle fruit, some mild cherry and blackberry, and a hint of tangy rhubarb, perhaps strawberry that's not quite ripe. The tannins are quite subtle, making for a long, smooth and very dry finish.
Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some grilled chicken and pasta tossed with some parma rosa sauce, along with some steamed asparagus. The wine pairs nicely with the richness of the cream sauce, but I can imagine it complementing the spice and freshness of a rich paella or the wonderful Basque-style seafood dishes of Spain's Atlantic coast. Overall I would rate this wine a solid 7.5 with potential for improvement over time, and at around $10, it's a great value for a wine region that is ripe for exploration!
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