Olga Verde Fontecalada 2022

Olga Verde is a winemaker in Bierzo, in the north of Castilla y León, where she works the region's old Mencía vineyards. Trained as an agricultural engineer and oenologist, she farms with close attention to the soil and the vine. Bierzo sits in a sheltered mountain basin where slate and clay soils and cool nights give Mencía its characteristic freshness, aromatic lift and savoury, mineral edge. This wine is aged for eleven months in a mix of oak barrels and glass demijohns. The demijohn keeps the wine fresh and reductive, preserving fruit and floral aromatics, while the time in barrel softens the texture through gentle oxygen exchange. The result is light and approachable in style. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose leads with red berries and cherry over dried flowers, violet and lavender, with thyme and a savoury, earthy undertone. The palate is light to medium bodied, fresh and supple, with fine tannins and lively acidity through a clean finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you prefer. It works with lighter meat and earthy vegetable dishes.