Pepe Mendoza

Giró de Abargues

Pepe Mendoza

Giró de Abargues

Giró is a unique variety that since 1500 has united Alicante with Mallorca and Sardinia, the only other regions claiming to grow it. Sensitive to powdery mildew and very low yielding, it lost out in favour of more productive varieties. Yet today it is regarded as a treasure that must be taken care of.

Wine Production

Grapes are picked before they become over-ripe in order to reflect a fresher expression. Soft manual maceration with skins and 30% of stems, no pumping. Fermented with indigenous yeast in 1000l vats for 8-10 days. Pressing of the whole clusters. Lees contact and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, followed by 12 months aging in a mix of new and used French oak.

Tasting Notes

An ethereal and delicate wine with aromas of lavender, rosemary, eucaliptus, and balsamic. Noble tannins will allow this wine to have a long life. 

Food Pairing

Pairs well with Iberian sausages and sheep cheeses, great with grilled meats, lamb chops or long-matured beef.

Giró is a unique variety that since 1500 has united Alicante with Mallorca and Sardinia, the only other regions claiming to grow it. Sensitive to powdery mildew and very low yielding, it lost out in favour of more productive varieties. Yet today it is regarded as a treasure that must be taken care of.

Wine Production

Grapes are picked before they become over-ripe in order to reflect a fresher expression. Soft manual maceration with skins and 30% of stems, no pumping. Fermented with indigenous yeast in 1000l vats for 8-10 days. Pressing of the whole clusters. Lees contact and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, followed by 12 months aging in a mix of new and used French oak.

Tasting Notes

An ethereal and delicate wine with aromas of lavender, rosemary, eucaliptus, and balsamic. Noble tannins will allow this wine to have a long life. 

Food Pairing

Pairs well with Iberian sausages and sheep cheeses, great with grilled meats, lamb chops or long-matured beef.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Viña de Abargues
Vineyard size:
10 ha acres
Soil composition:
sand argillaceous, calcareous, iron
Elevation:
492 feet
Exposure:
East/West
Harvest time:
mid of September
Bottles produced of this wine:
15,000
Average Vine Age:
80 years
Sustainability Certification:
Practices (not certified)

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:
15 days
Varietal composition:
100% Giró
Fermentation container:
stainless steel tank
Maceration technique:
soft maceration five times a day
Malolactic fermentation:
yes
Fining agent:
vegan
Size of aging container:
500 liters French oak
Length of aging before bottling:
12 months
Total SO2:
74

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.33
Acidity:
5.08 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Total SO2:
74
Residual sugar:
0.6 g/L

About the Vineyard

Vineyards are at Abargues and Pla Lliber at around 300 meters with a total vineyard area of 2.5 ha. Vines are around 75 years old. Goblet trained, dry farmed, organic vineyards on ancient soils formed during the Triasic period, with rivulets of iron running through the calcareous stones.