Envinate, Vinos Atlanticos (Spain) 2022

 Lousas is a blend of plots across Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra, in Spain’s northwest corner.  Mencía is the most dominant red grape in Galicia so it is fitting that the wine is 85% Mencía with the remainder a field bend of the remaining grapes.  Field blends are also common in the region and are the result of vineyards planting a sometimes-random selection of grape varietals throughout their vineyards.  Envinate ferments grapes from each vineyard separately before making their final blend of Lousas.  Light in body, this wine has a plethora of mineral notes with accompanying dark fruit accents ranging from acai berry to dried black cherry.  On a record-hot day, I’m serving this with a wine-fridge chill.