Steadily, since its first vintage in 1991, Alion has been increasingly noticed by wine drinkers around the world, recognized for its unsurpassed pedigree and for its consistent quality. This quality has not been lost in the wine reviews of top publications: The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast have all awarded scores to these wines that are well into the 90s.
The view from the tasting room.
In northwest Spain lies the region of Rueda, the Denominación de Origen (D. O.) that covers wines in the Castilla-y-León region. Here the dominant variety is Verdejo, a grape that is indigenous to the area which produces a dry and aromatic white wine that is rapidly growing in popularity worldwide. We had the opportunity to taste at Bodegas José Pariente, one of the top white wine producers in Rueda. A true family winery, it is run by Victoria Pariente and her daughter Martina Prieto Pariente. Named after Victoria’s father, the winery pays homage, both in name and quality, to his passion for well-made white wine.
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The tasting room at Remirez de Ganuza
We had the privilege of touring and tasting at Remirez De Ganuza in the Spanish Denominacion de Origen (the Spanish term for viticultural region) of Rioja while we were a part of the Fine Vintage Tour of Northern Spain. Over the last 3 decades Remirez de Ganuza has experimented and come up with new techniques both in the vineyard and in the winery which have elevated their wines to the top echelons of Rioja and even earned a 100 point score.
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2004 Pesquera Reserva
Medium dark red colour. Beautiful nose of raspberries and black cherries supported by hints of baking spices. The medium+ body is textured and very smooth. The tannin is now fully integrated and the moderate acidity on the back end keeps the wine nicely delineated. This wine is very complex with primary flavours of plum, raspberry and blackberry. With a bit of air we also pick up leather and cedar notes. The fruit is ripe and full, possessing a slightly confectured note and is drinking perfectly right now. One of the best examples of a Ribera del Duero from a top vintage.
Excellent+
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Tempranillo grapes almost ready for harvest.
Spain’s Rioja region is almost exclusively Tempranillo country and is also the area most generally associated with quality Spanish wine. The Tempranillo grape is indigenous to the area and has been harvested there for thousands of years. The wines produced in Rioja are structured but elegant, generally more finessed than those from Ribera del Duero, and will easily stand the test of time in a cellar. Our first stop in Rioja on our trip to Northern Spain with Fine Vintage was Remelluri Winery and we couldn’t have enjoyed a more auspicious introduction to this storied region.
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