Mencia is a rare red wine varietal, exclusively planted in Spain and Portugal – more specifically, it is mostly cultivated in the northeastern corner of the Iberian peninsula, in the regions of Galicia and Dão.
Mencia wines are characterized by their flavours of red and black fruit, including cherries, raspberries, and blackberries. It’s a good wine to branch out into if you like the cherry-rich profile’s of Pinot Noir and Gamay – it can also range between medium and full-body. Mencia may also have savory or earthy notes, as well as hints of spice and a slightly floral or herbal character. Intense fruity flavours qualify Mencia for pairing with a variety of foods, particularly the upper tier of dense red meats!
Meat That Pairs Well With Mencia
Mencia has some pretty robust flavours, and smooth, yet noticeable tannins. Naturally, it goes well with hearty meat dishes. Grilled or roast beef is the obvious choice, but depending on your taste, you might want to go for something lighter. The fruity flavours of Mencia can help to balance the rich, savory flavours of pork dishes like roast pork or pulled pork. Mencia can also stand up to dense meats like lamb, venison, goat or rabbit. In short, when you enter the world of savory meats it’s difficult to go wrong with this wine.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Mencia
Mencia pairs best with sharp, flavourful cheeses that match its fruit-forward profile in terms of boldness. Some specific cheeses that pair particularly well with Mencia include sharp and tangy Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Manchego, and goat’s cheese. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a soft cheese – hard Italian cheeses can be delightful too. Pecorino provides a salty edge, which makes for a pleasant contrast, and Grana Padua or Parmesan are slightly more mild but still delicious.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Mencia
What appetizers to pair with Mencia totally comes down to personal preference, and while “savory” and “flavoursome” are words to keep in mind, there are a number of routes to go down. Mencia will pair beautifully with crostini topped with any variety of cheeses, tomato-topped bruschetta, spicy sausages, charcuterie boards, or stuffed olives.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Mencia
In general, Mencia pairs well with tasty, wholesome vegetarian dishes that can stand up to its bold flavours. Rich grilled or stuffed bell peppers (particularly those stuffed with cheese) are a good option. You can also go down the route of roast root vegetables, like carrot, sweet potato, parsnip, beetroot or potatoes (which can also be stuffed). The fruity profile of Mencia can also help to balance the savory flavours of bean or lentil stews: dhal, chickpea tagine, and an Italian tomato and cannellini bean soup are all delicious choices.
Herbs That Pair Well With Mencia
When you’re cooking up a dish to pair with Mencia, try using some pungent and earthy herbs and spices. White and black pepper are both good, and rosemary, thyme and sage all bring slightly woodsy flavours that match Mencia’s earthy side. You can also try and include hickory, basil, bay leaf, nutmeg and clove.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Mencia
Mencia is a powerful wine, so try to avoid dishes that are delicately flavoured. Its tannins can also exaggerate spice and salt, or clash with oily fish, so avoid anything that is overly spicy or salty. Generally speaking, you should also stay away from light seafood, like white fish, scallops or crab.
Best Foods To Eat With Mencia
Mencia is massively underrated, and you can often get a great quality bottle at a very affordable price. With the right dish, it could become your next favourite wine. For maximum enjoyment, stick to wholesome meals, and these ones in particular:
- Roast beef
- Pulled pork
- Mature cheddar
- Roast vegetables
- Bean stew
