Maruxa Mencía with Chicken & Chorizo Pie: Spice, Smoke and Juicy Freshness
Introduction
For Matt Tebbutt’s chicken and chorizo pie with Christmas veg, wine expert Olly Smith turned to Maruxa Mencía 2023, a vibrant red from north‑west Spain that thrives on freshness and balance. This is a pairing built around juicy red fruit, gentle structure and a subtle earthy edge that flatters both the smoky chorizo and the creamy, comforting pie.
The Wine: Fresh-Fruited Mountain Red
Maruxa is a Mencía-based red from the cool, Atlantic-influenced hills of north‑west Spain, where higher altitude and slatey, mineral soils help the grape retain acidity and aromatic lift. Mencía typically delivers bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, with floral notes, a hint of spice and moderate tannins, making it lighter and fresher than many traditional Christmas reds. The 2023 vintage leans into that lively style: crunchy fruit, supple tannin and a refreshing finish that keeps it versatile at the table.
Why It Complements Chicken & Chorizo Pie
Handling the protein and pastry: Chicken is relatively mild, while chorizo and pastry bring chew and richness; Mencía’s medium body and fine-grained tannins give just enough grip to handle the meat and crust without feeling heavy or drying.
Cutting through creamy richness: The pie filling and festive veg often feature butter, cream or olive oil, and the wine’s natural acidity works like a squeeze of cranberry or redcurrant, cutting through the fat and resetting the palate between mouthfuls.
Complementing smoky, spicy flavours: Chorizo’s paprika, gentle smoke and savoury depth are mirrored by Mencía’s red fruit, subtle peppery spice and earthy notes, so the wine slots neatly alongside the warming Christmas flavours rather than fighting them.
Conclusion
Maruxa Mencía 2023 is an inspired, food-loving choice for this dish—bright enough for the veg, structured enough for the pie and perfectly in tune with the chorizo’s festive warmth. Look for it at your usual retailer and pour it lightly chilled to capture all that lifted red fruit with Matt Tebbutt’s Christmas classic.