The Ribeira Sacra region sits in the eastern part of Galicia, Spain. In learning about this region, one of the most intriguing things about it is its extremely steep landscape.
The oldest terraces were originally carved by the Romans 2,000 years ago, and they are awesome in the true sense of the word. We hope this picture does it some justice. The river below is the "sacred river" for which the region is named. The region is mostly unheard of because, we hear, the people of the area who worked these steep slopes kept the wine for themselves not out of selfishness, but because paved roads only recently connected Ribeira Sacra with the rest of Spain. Oy!
Mencia is the grape varietal of the region, which makes sense being that Bierzo is the neighboring area (known for the mencia grown there). While Mencia from Bierzo can seem deep, dark and concentrated, Mencia from Ribeira is more elegant, bright and juicy. It's why we like Vina do Burato so much - it's so fresh and easy drinking, but unusual like the grape. This wine is mid weight, well balanced, and graceful - tasting of exotic red fruit, spices and minerals. Jamon anyone?
Vina do Burato Ribeira Sacra $19 a bottle
