Item Number: 6710 UPC: None

Country: Spain
Region: Galicia Sub Region: Galicia
Appellation/AVA: Monterrei DO
Estate Grown Wine: Yes
Vintage: 2009
Grape(s): 100% Mencia
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 6
Closure: Cork
Case Production: 100
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soil Type: Slate stone
Elevation: 2,297 feet
Berrande is a limited, two barrel production, 100% Mencía wine coming from one of the highest elevation vineyards of the Monterrei region in Galicia at 2,297 feet. Galicia is in northwestern Spain, often times referred to as Green Spain due to the heavy rainfall resulting in abundant green pastures. Berrande is the name of an isolated town of 260 people, next to the Portuguese border, where the vineyard is located. Driving through Berrande reminds you of Priorat. The landscape is arid, steep and full of slate.

Winemaking Notes: Jose Luis Mateo, the visionary behind the Quinta da Muradella Estate uses a minimalist approach to convey, in its most pure form, the mineral identity of the town of Berrande. The wine is fermented with its natural yeast in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation the wine ages in barrels for 14 moths and then goes into the bottles without filtration or clarification. After 11 months in the bottle the wine is released to the market.

Pairing Suggestions: Braised pork shoulder in wild mushroom sauce, osso bucco, ox tail soup and aged, hard cheeses would all pair well with this wine’s distinctive aromatic and dark fruit profile.

In the words of Eric Pfanner of The New York Times, Berrande has the "feel of a fine red Burgundy." On a recent article about Quinta da Muradella wines, Jancis Robinson says: "Although it is fascinating to taste wines from these relatively obscure varieties, what shines here is 'the soul of Monterrei' and the deft, light-handed winemaking of a skillful and intuitive winemaker."