Verónica Ortega "Quite" Mencía 2022

From Spain's Bierzo region, "Quite" is elegant and vibrant, with refined freshness and an instantly captivating fluidity. On the nose, it unveils a bouquet of succulent red fruits, blue flowers, chalky stones and smoky herbs, with a whisper of liquorice that beckons further exploration. On the palate, notes of wild berry, florals, jasmine, earth, white pepper and a delightfully bitter, mineral finish. Its light and agile structure caresses with natural elegance, making each sip a fresh and genuine encounter with Bierzo. Perfect for those seeking a red that combines character and charm.

Made mostly from Mencía grapes grown on 90- to 100-year-old vines, plus a small field blend of Doña Blanca, Palomino and Alicante Bouschet. The grapes are farmed organically and biodynamically and harvested by hand, coming mostly from vineyards planted in clay-sandy soils rich in minerals in Valtuille de Abajo. In the winery, the grapes are destemmed before fermenting in stainless steel tanks, with a gentle extraction. The maceration lasts around 10 days. The wine is then aged in 50% used French oak foudres and 50% clay vessels for eight months.

Verónica Ortega, hailing from Cádiz, honed her skills in some of the finest wineries in Burgundy and Priorat. Drawn by the terroir of Bierzo, she decided to settle in Valtuille de Abajo to begin producing her own wines, thus embarking on her most personal project. Working predominantly with old Mencía vineyards, she adheres to ecological principles. The winemaking process is artisanal, involving spontaneous fermentations with wild yeasts and low doses of sulfites. The wines are true to the terroir, exhibiting character and distinct personality.