Palacios 'Petalos' - Bierzo

This 2021 wine is 100% Mencia from Bierzo, Spain. Descendents de Jose Palacios, founded in 1999, started as a farm and has become a top winery in Bierzo. Named after the paternal grandparent of winemaker Ricardo Perez, it sources grapes from 40 - 90 year - old vines, hand - harvested. 'Petalos' is made from over 300 plots cared for by a special team. After a few weeks in French oak barrels, it ages for 6 to 10 months in passage barrels. It offers notes of blackberry, plum, oak, tobacco, and ripe tannins, perfect for pairing with mushroom risotto.

To enjoy this Palacios 'Petalos' wine, first, let it breathe for about 30 minutes to an hour before pouring. You can serve it at a cool room temperature, around 60 - 65°F. When it comes to pairing, as mentioned, mushroom risotto is a great choice, but it also goes well with other hearty meat dishes like grilled steak or lamb chops. Store the opened bottle in the refrigerator and use a wine stopper to keep it fresh. Try to finish it within 2 - 3 days after opening to enjoy its full flavor.