Ponte da Boga Mencia 2016

Ribeira Sacra is a new DO of Spain, officially sanctioned in 1996. This region lies just north of the border with Portugal and shares rivers with the Vinho Verde area. Vines have been grown here for centuries, largely by monks, hence ‘Sacra’ in the name. You don’t find many bottles on UK shelves but top producers are making such fragrant, fresh and pleasing reds and whites that it won’t be like that for long. But, with vertiginous vineyard slopes plunging down towards the Miño and Sil rivers, it’s not the easiest land to work. They call it ‘heroic winemaking’! These steep slopes and the poor slate schist soils ensure the quality and concentration of the grapes. King of reds here is Mencia and, typically, this red is deliciously fresh.