Listan Prieto is a dark red grape that originated in the Castilla La Mancha region of central Spain. It is the same as the Mission grape that was brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers in the 16th century. It is thought to be the first European grape variety brought to the Americas. Mission plantings also migrated into California and Texas. It was the main grape variety in the western US until later immigrants imported different vines in the late 19th century. Listan Prieto is also grown in Chile, where it is known as Pais, and Argentina, where it is known as Criolla Chica. Plantings of Listan Prieto in Spain are now rare with the exception of the Canary Islands. The plantings in California have also mostly been removed. In Chile, it is used for high production, inexpensive rosé wines. There are some producers working to determine how to achieve the maximum potential of Listan Prieto through viticulture and winemaking.
This week I drank a bottle of 2022 Envinate Benje from the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. This bottle is a blend of Listan Prieto (90%), Listan Blanco (9%), and Tintilla (1%). This wine has a medium ruby color. The unmistakable aromas of bright red fruit, bubblegum and kirsch (a cherry brandy commonly used to make traditional fondue) tell me this wine was made with whole grape bunches which were partly fermented in a method called carbonic maceration. It is a slightly complicated method but results in wines fruity with lighter color and tannin, and intended for earlier drinking. The most classic wine made using this fermentation method is Beaujolais Nouveau (which is released annually on the third Thursday in November). Benje is a medium bodied, medium acid dry wine that has light smooth tannins and a low to medium level of alcohol. It has flavors of ripe red cherry, cranberry, black pepper, cinnamon stick, bubblegum, kirsch on the palate. This wine has a pleasant, fairly long finish. When I first tried this wine, the pairing that first came to mind was to take it to a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner. It could also be lightly chilled and enjoyed on a warm summer day.
-TheLooseTannin
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 