GIRÓ DE ABARGUES
PEPE MENDOZA • MARINA ALTA
"The forgotten elegance of Marina Alta: a whisper of the most authentic Mediterranean, where finesse triumphs over extraction in a masterpiece by Pepe Mendoza."
The Renaissance of the Levant
Giró de Abargues is the standard-bearer of Pepe Mendoza's conscious viticulture. Far from the traditional robustness of the Spanish Levant, this single-vineyard wine seeks verticality and marine freshness. Made from old Giró vines —the untamed Grenache of the Mediterranean— on red clay and iron soils, it represents a "Burgundian" style in the Alicante region: subtle, fragrant, and profoundly moving.
1. Identity Profile
Winery: Pepe Mendoza Casa Agrícola
Origin: Abargues Plot, Llíber (Marina Alta), Alicante, Spain
Varietal: 100% Giró (Selection of old vines)
Aging: 12 months in 500-liter French oak barrels (neutral use)
Alcohol Content: 14% Alc. Vol.
Presentation: 750 ml
2. Sommelier's Notes
Appearance: Medium-bodied cherry red color, with crystalline luminosity and vibrant reflections that invite a sip.
Nose: An intoxicating perfume of dried rose petals, pomegranate, and wild red berries. Intertwined with a balsamic background of thyme, cistus, and the saline breeze of the nearby Mediterranean.
Palate: Smooth entry with breathtaking elegance. Its texture is silky, with tannins that feel like chalk dust and a vibrant acidity that stretches the wine to a long, vertical, and mineral finish.
3. Style Analysis
4. Pairing and Recommendation
Levantine Cuisine: The natural companion for mountain rice dishes (with snails and rabbit) or well-structured wood-fired paellas.
Marine Delicacy: Surprisingly pairs well with fatty blue fish like red tuna or grilled salmon, thanks to its vertical freshness.
Meats and Cured Meats: Beef carpaccio, artisanal cured meats from Marina, or subtly spiced steak tartare.
Serving: Ideally served at 15°C in a Burgundy-type glass. It is a wine that benefits from not being served too warm to highlight its floral profile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Giró the same as Garnacha?
Genetically, it is a clone of Grenache, but after centuries of adaptation to Marina Alta, it has mutated to offer a thicker skin and a distinct maturation. The result is a wine with more tannic structure but greater aromatic lightness.
Why is it called "Single-Vineyard Wine"?
Because the grapes come exclusively from Abargues, a specific plot with unique clay-ferrous soils. This ensures a precise geographical identity not found in regional blends.