Abel Mendoza Rioja DOCa, Spain (no added sulphites)

This top of range natural red wine is made without any added sulphites in Rioja. It is very fruity in the mouth, with flavours of plum and liquorice. The tannins are compact with a bright, refreshing finish. Made in a limited production, the wine from is from a 0.56-hectare parcel planted in 1979.

Food Match: Lamb cutlets, chorizo, spicy tagine

Wine Facts:

Read more about no sulphites added wine labelling here (short read). Find out more about differences between organic, vegan and natural wines here (long read).  

Modest and passionate about his vineyards Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988. Lying in the line of villages (Laguardia to Labastida) in the lee of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards on the finest parts of the Alavesa.

His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own making other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes. 

For two generations Abel Mendoza's family has been farming vineyards in Rioja which are scattered throughout the commune of San Vicente de la Sonsierra (towards the border of Rioja Alta and Alavesa). More than anything in the world, Abel cares for his vineyards, each plot cared for independently and harvest done entirely by hand. The grapes planted are all indigenous including Malvasia (a variety widely planted in Rioja in the 18th century), Viura, Tempranillo and Graciano.

After the fermentation, a percentage of the wine was matured in a new barrel for 11 months and the rest was in stainless steel tank. Natural ageing.

If you want to know more about benefits of sulphite-free wines, have a look at our blog here.