Terravista Mencía

The only planting of Mencía in Canada — a Spanish red from Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra, planted at Terravista's certified-organic Naramata Outlook Vineyard in 2021. Hand-picked and destemmed, fermented half in oak vats and half in stainless with twice-daily pump-overs, then nine months in neutral French oak.

Deep ruby, juicy in texture with bracing acidity. Tart red fruit up front — cherry, red currant, raspberry — over crushed gravel, dried herbs and a touch of pepper, with rose petal and floral notes filling in behind. Delicate in weight but dry and seriously structured. 13.6% alc.

A chillable red: put twenty minutes in the fridge on it and serve with charcuterie, grilled vegetables, mushroom dishes or a rare steak.