• Biotype: EVO 043

  • Indigenous/Non-native: Indigenous

  • White/Red/Rosé: Red

  • Original Location: Bargota, Alto el Palo area, Plot 2552, Polygon 2. Bush-trained vineyard, planting spacing 1.50 × 1.50 m.

  • Winegrower: Juan Manuel García Mendaza

  • Yield: Medium

  • Ripening Period: Medium

  • Parentage: Alfrocheiro × Patorra

  • Synonyms: In Navarre, it is not known as Mencía; winegrowers call it Garnacho to distinguish it from Garnacha. In some places it is also known as Negra, Mollar, Mencía Pajaral or Mencía Pequeña.

Mencía EVO 043

Origin:

The origin of this variety is considered uncertain. It is cultivated as a major variety in wine-growing areas of north-western Spain such as Valdeorras, Ribeiro and El Bierzo.

Origin of the variety in Navarre: It appears in some Navarrese vineyards interplanted with Garnacha Tinta.

Current cultivation: CIt is grown mainly in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula.

Descendants: Only one descendant of French origin is recorded in the databases.

Agronomic characteristics: It is sensitive to botrytis, downy mildew, powdery mildew and Phomopsis cane and leaf spot. The cluster is small, medium to compact in density, and the berry is medium-sized and blue-black. The leaf is pentagonal and medium-sized.

Winemaking potential: It produces aromatic and fruity wines. It is used to make rosé wines and young red wines, with or without carbonic maceration. It can present difficulties in achieving an appropriate balance between potential alcohol and total acidity, as acidity decreases rapidly. In general, it is not suitable for ageing, except under very favourable climatic conditions and in highly suitable soils.

Mencía EVO 043