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La Rioja Alta, S.A. Vina Alberdi Reserva 2020
La Rioja Alta ‘Viña Alberdi’ Reserve, Rioja, Spain
Years ago, as a mere toddler in the wine industry, I was drinking a bottle of Rioja (ree-oh-ha) with my friend who knew a tremendous amount about wine. I was about two sips into my glass when he asked me, “what do you taste?” I was taken aback. No one had ever asked me that question. Wow, I had to think. “Cherries” I said. “Yep, what else?” “It tastes kinda spicy.” “Good. What else?”
Man he was putting me on the spot. There was something there. Something I just couldn’t identify. I was reaching for it yet I couldn’t figure it out. What was I smelling? “I don’t know.” He looked at me, smiled and said, “Leather. Worn Leather.” “Yeah! That’s it.” I was immediately transported back to when I played baseball. Out in centerfield between batters there were times when I put my glove to my face to shield it from the sun. That smell of worn, dusty glove leather was part of my upbringing, my young life. And there it was in my wine. It made me feel happily nostalgic. That bottle of ‘Viña Alberdi’ was the first wine that truly captivated me. Since then it has always been my favorite Spanish juice. And I think my love of wine can be pinpointed to that exact evening.
Why waste your time with my little story? Because that tasting exactly defined what Rioja offers. Dusty cherries with a bit of tobacco, spice and worn leather. Ah, that worn leather. If you’ve ever played ball, you know it. And too, you now know a bit more about Rioja.
Rioja is a wine region in north/central Spain. The region is named after the rio (river) Oja. It’s famous for its red wines made from the Tempranillo grape. There are three subzones of Rioja: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta. Rioja Alta is the highest elevation of the subzones and it is significant for producing the best Rioja. This winery is named after that subzone. It has been around for over 125 years as it was founded in 1890. Today it is a cooperative with multiple family growers that work in unison with the winery.
The ‘Viña Alberdi’ is named after Nicolás Alberdi, the former president of La Rioja Alta winery from 1947 to 1952. It is made with 100% Tempranillo grown in vineyards that were planted over 40 years ago. The grapes were grown at an altitude of 500-600 metres (1600-2000 ft) above sea level in a vineyard comprised of chalky-clay soils.
Serving suggestion: Open this bottle and stick in the fridge for 15 minutes. That tiny bit of coolness will mute the alcohol and allow you to more fully enjoy the fruit.
~ Greg
La Rioja Alta ‘Viña Alberdi’ Reserve, Rioja, Spain
Years ago, as a mere toddler in the wine industry, I was drinking a bottle of Rioja (ree-oh-ha) with my friend who knew a tremendous amount about wine. I was about two sips into my glass when he asked me, “what do you taste?” I was taken aback. No one had ever asked me that question. Wow, I had to think. “Cherries” I said. “Yep, what else?” “It tastes kinda spicy.” “Good. What else?”
Man he was putting me on the spot. There was something there. Something I just couldn’t identify. I was reaching for it yet I couldn’t figure it out. What was I smelling? “I don’t know.” He looked at me, smiled and said, “Leather. Worn Leather.” “Yeah! That’s it.” I was immediately transported back to when I played baseball. Out in centerfield between batters there were times when I put my glove to my face to shield it from the sun. That smell of worn, dusty glove leather was part of my upbringing, my young life. And there it was in my wine. It made me feel happily nostalgic. That bottle of ‘Viña Alberdi’ was the first wine that truly captivated me. Since then it has always been my favorite Spanish juice. And I think my love of wine can be pinpointed to that exact evening.
Why waste your time with my little story? Because that tasting exactly defined what Rioja offers. Dusty cherries with a bit of tobacco, spice and worn leather. Ah, that worn leather. If you’ve ever played ball, you know it. And too, you now know a bit more about Rioja.
Rioja is a wine region in north/central Spain. The region is named after the rio (river) Oja. It’s famous for its red wines made from the Tempranillo grape. There are three subzones of Rioja: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta. Rioja Alta is the highest elevation of the subzones and it is significant for producing the best Rioja. This winery is named after that subzone. It has been around for over 125 years as it was founded in 1890. Today it is a cooperative with multiple family growers that work in unison with the winery.
The ‘Viña Alberdi’ is named after Nicolás Alberdi, the former president of La Rioja Alta winery from 1947 to 1952. It is made with 100% Tempranillo grown in vineyards that were planted over 40 years ago. The grapes were grown at an altitude of 500-600 metres (1600-2000 ft) above sea level in a vineyard comprised of chalky-clay soils.
Serving suggestion: Open this bottle and stick in the fridge for 15 minutes. That tiny bit of coolness will mute the alcohol and allow you to more fully enjoy the fruit.
~ Greg