Pazo das Tapias

In 2006, Pazo das Tapias was founded in Monterrei by the Mendéz family, who have owned bodegas in Rias Baixas and Ribeiro since the 1940s. The three bodegas together form the Pazo do Mar group.

Good price and good wine
We have known for some time now in the Netherlands that Galicia produces beautiful wines. We noticed that very good price/pleasure wines also come from there at the last Alimentaria. Here we met the enthusiastic Manuel Mendéz junior, son of the owner and export manager of Pazo do Mar. He let us taste the deliciously juicy Mencía with three months of oak maturation and the ripe but refreshing thirst quencher of godello grapes. The price level made us raise our eyebrows.

Everything under strict control
At Pazo das Tapias, nothing is left to chance. The bodega is located between its own vineyards so that the grapes quickly reach their destination after picking. Temperature control is used during fermentation in stainless steel tanks, under strict supervision of father Manuel Sr., who is also the winemaker. In addition, they buy grapes from small winegrowers in the area with whom contracts have existed since the start in the 1940s.

Lesser known and warm DO
The DO Monterrei (Galician for King’s Mountain) has only existed since 1996 and is one of the smallest and therefore lesser known DOs in Spain. It is located in the very southeast of the province of Ourense on the border with Portugal and almost on the border with Castilla y León. Quite inland, therefore. This is also the reason that Monterrei is the warmest of the Galician DOs. Result? Wonderfully ripe wines, including the red ones, with the preservation of those refreshing acids and fine minerals. The wines that we have selected are marketed under the name Lagar de Xestosa; vinos con corazón. Wines with a heart!