Your Jaw Will Hit The FlorâŠ
âŠWhen you learn of this fino not from Jerez
It is not from Jerez, and it is not Palomino, yet here we have a refreshing dry non-fortified fino designed to crisp up the edges of your tongue.
Founded in 1729, Alvear is not only the oldest winery in Montilla, but in all of Andalucia. The family-owned company has been around for almost three centuries, making it the third-oldest family run winery in Spain and its brand C.B. the fifth oldest in the country. The winery has maintained its artisanal approach over time, staying true to its principles and philosophy as it grew. Today the stewardship of the winery lies with the eighth generation of the family.
As well as respecters of tradition, they are innovators also, and the Tres Miradas range of equally non-sticky PX wines, showcases a variety of albariza climates, soils and expositions, revealing how this grape, when tended carefully, can express the particularities of its terroir.
The family-owned company has been around for almost three centuries, making it the third-oldest family run winery in Spain and its brand C.B. the fifth oldest in the country.
The climate might be described as Mediterranean/continental with some key microclimates specific to the Sierra de Montilla (i.e. cooler, and more humid than surrounding areas). We are about 30 minutesâ drive south of the city of CĂłrdoba here.
The albariza soils with a high calcareous content in the subzones of RioFrio Alto and Cerro Macho imbue the wines with a distinct chalky inflection, whilst also contributing to their excellent acidity. The Fino itself comes from the aforementioned organically-grown 100% Pedro Ximenez – which this region is renowned for.
Hand-harvested grapes are de-stemmed, direct-pressed into stainless vats and fermented at cool temperatures with indigenous yeasts. The wine is then matured in botas (6000-litre American oak barrels) on the lees and bottled without stabilisation, filtering or fining.
Golden straw in colour, the nose displays those classic yeasty characteristics – breadcrumbs, hay with oxidative elements – ripe apple, almond, exotic spice. Very elegant, saline, very dry.
En Rama translates from Spanish as ‘on the branch’ i.e. a fruit picked straight from the tree, in its freshest, purest state. This refers to the fact the wine is âraw’: straight from the cask, unfined and unfiltered.
Perfect as an aperitif and with all manner of salty tapas, seafood, shellfish and most starters. Second to none with Japanese food (the wine is umami-tastic)
NV Alvear Fino en rama
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Interested in finding out more about the wines of Alvear? Contact us directly:
shop@lescaves.co.uk |  sales@lescaves.co.uk | 01483 538820