Manchuela, Spain
Manchuela DO
When Ana and Iván got together for a party with some fellow oenologist friends in 2007, they decided to make some wine and put it in a barrel. The results of this first vintage were astonishing and so Bodegas Gratias was born.
After the success of the first vintage, they realized they had a chance to make a difference. In a region with a declining wine industry, Ana and Iván are on a mission to protect old vineyards of Bobal and other local varieties (like this Tardana), championing the vinous heritage of the area. These wines are artisanal and as natural as they come, being organically grown, fermented with natural occurring yeasts and using only minute sulfur additions, if any.
Winemaking takes place in clay amphora, known locally as tiñajas, with the wine spending 4 months on its lees. Only 4000 bottles made - a miniscule production by any estimation.
'Got" means glass in Valencian language, a word symbolizing the return to the simple pleasure of wine consumption as something to enjoy every day. As in, a glass of wine on the table with every meal. There's fresh, juicy cherry flavours overlaid on top of delicate earth and a light scent of purple flowers. This is fruity, punchy and fresh but with body and texture elevating the mouthfeel and helping the wine leave a longer impression through its finish. It's soft and silky with a touch of tannins lingering through the acidity.
Pair with a classic Valencian dish of paella or make it real simple with pizza, pasta or something off the barbecue.