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Vermutpedia

Rojo

Mayorga de Campos

Red · Artisan · Medium-sweet

Esencia Tabira

Bodegas Meóriga

Mayorga de Campos , España

7.6 /10

Vermutpedia Score: 7.6/10

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Overall impression

Esencia Tabira is the first vermouth made with Prieto Picudo wine, reviving the 1927 Tabira master formula at Bodegas Meóriga (Mayorga de Campos, DO Tierra de León). Very limited production follows a long trial period with the native variety and Tabira botanical species. A premium vermouth that preserves the essence and origins of the Leonese bodega — a singular bet on Castilian identity in a category still dominated by international styles. For Vermutpedia, Esencia Tabira is a landmark in Spanish author vermouth: Prieto Picudo as wine base, Tabira botanical heritage from 1927 and artisan bottling in one-litre format for a house that otherwise focuses on still wines.

Nose and palate

The entry is soft and fine on the palate, very easy to drink. Classic aromas from Tabira botanical macerations gain intensity with time in the glass; elegant, persistent bitterness over a Meóriga red base of Prieto Picudo. The profile is direct but refined: semisweet sweetness integrated with herbal bitterness, without the density of Jerez solera vermouths but with territorial character that sets it apart from generic reds. Medium persistence and a clean, inviting texture that suits both aperitif and simple cocktails.

How to serve it

Cold with ice and an olive as a classic aperitif; also in cocktails with rum, whisky or other spirits as the bodega recommends. The one-litre format suits shared tables and home consumption. Serve between 6 and 10 °C; the bitterness and Prieto Picudo fruit open without needing elaborate garnish. Pairs with Leonese charcuterie, aged cheeses and salted appetisers where the sweet-bitter contrast works.

Production context

Base of Prieto Picudo red wine blended with Tabira species (1927) and a special touch in distillation; subsequent blending with sugar, filtering, a few days' rest and artisan bottling. 15% vol., 1 L. Meóriga's only vermouth expression, distributed by Vinos&Company Grupo Palenzuela. Process and tasting notes verifiable at meoriga.com. For Vermutpedia, Esencia Tabira synthesises Leonese premium vermouth: native grape, recovered 1927 formula and very limited artisan production.

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Same type and style — Red · Medium-sweet

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