Verónica Ortega VO Versión Original 2024

Veronica Ortega came to Bierzo from Cadiz after training in Burgundy and Priorat, drawn by the region's old Mencia vineyards. She works these vines organically in Valtuille de Abajo, in the west of Castilla y Leon. Mencia here grows on a mix of clay and slate soils, which give the wine its mineral, stony character and the bright red fruit typical of the grape. Bierzo sits in a sheltered basin with a climate between Atlantic and Mediterranean, warm by day and cool at night, which preserves freshness and floral aroma. Vinification is traditional, with spontaneous fermentation using the vineyard's native yeasts, and the wine is aged for 12 months in amphora rather than oak, which keeps the fruit pure and adds a fine, mineral texture without wood spice. The wine pours a bright, light ruby. The nose shows wild red berries, cherry and rose over earth, dried herbs and black pepper. On the palate it is light to medium bodied with fresh acidity, fine tannins and a stony, savoury finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly chilled if you like, with poultry, mushrooms or oily fish.