Join us on Thursday May 12th for this very special tasting with three unique and organic wines from a single producer - Spain's Bodega Altolandon. 6pm-8pm
While our tastings usually feature three distinct producers, it can also be enlightening to focus on just one winemaker and highlight smaller differences between multiple wines coming from the same terroir. No better producer to show in this light than Manchuela, Spain's Bodega Altolandon - who craft beautiful, unique, and approachable wines in a number of styles. First off, we will be pouring two different skin-contact white wines (both made in clay amphora) that have been favorites at the shop for some time now. The "Enblanco" is a blend of Grenache Blanc & Grenache Gris (we often joke about how much we love Grenache in all its forms at the shop), while the "Mil Historias" white blend contains five different varietals: Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Moscatel, and Petit Manseng. Then we will switch gears with something new to our store - the "Mil Historias" Bobal red which is vinified in stainless steel and French oak.
Bodega Altolandon - White Mil Historias Manchuela 2019
Body, texture, acidity, aromatics, this wine's got it all.
A blend of 5 white grapes (Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Moscatel, Petit Manseng) this wine is fermented on skins for 30 days in amphora. Aromatic with floral and tropical fruits on the light style of orange wine. The palate is dry, mineral, and medium bodied with gentle acidity. Very versatile with food especially Thai noodles or curries!
Bodega Altolandon - "ENBLANCO" Manchuela Orange Wine 2020
Bodega Altolandon Certified Organic + Biodynamic winery that sits in the center of its 1100m high altitude above sea level. This blend of Garnacha Blanca and Garnacha Gris uses hand harvested grapes from 15 year old vines grown on limestone and stony soils. Produced as naturally as possible with spontaneous fermentation on the skins in clay amphora, there are no added sulphites.
This creates a wine of orange-pink color with an elegant nose showing sweet aromas of stone fruits, mineral and anise, supported by apricot, Mirabelle plum and citrus notes. Full and well-rounded on the palate with plenty of weight, yet still elegant, lively and light in body. Try as an appetizer with tapas, baked fish, sushi, or well-flavored hard cheeses.
Bodega Altolandon - Red Bobal Mil Historias Manchuela 2019
juicy blue fruits, freshly cracked black pepper, with nice tannic/mineral grip, gentle acidity, and a silky texture, subtle hints of violets, rosemary. This Bobal shows distinctive power, vibrant fruit, freshness with soft and ripe tannin. It is spicy and juicy with a well rounded palate with a fascinating crunchy-fruit freshness. The finish is gently tannic combined excellent depth.
high in antioxidants and vegan friendly.
Vivid aromas of yuzu and prune. Bright Zesty fruits give way to pronounced earthiness, with a peppery kick of watercress at the end. Fresh and juicy, with firm, smooth tannins.-JS April 2021
From the importer, Skin Contact Wines:
"Grapes are harvested by hand from certified organic vineyards. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel after a 2 day cold soak. Fermentation on skins lasts around 30 days after which the wine is racked to 2nd and 3rd use French oak barrels for 4 months. The oak softens the wine and does not overtly alter the character. The wine is then racked back to tank where it stabilizes in the cold cellar through the winter. Bottled without fining, filtration, or sulfur."
The property consists of 120 hectares with the winery resting right in the center, not only making it aesthetically satisfying but also extremely practical. At 1,100 meters above sea level, the altitude serves to benefit the grapes with large diurnal variations which encourage even ripening and also helping retain their natural acidity. Organic methods are used to manage the vines utilizing only natural fertilizers and some green pruning to further guarantee the quality of fruit prior to hand-harvesting. The grapes are vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and little other intervention. The wines are then aged in French oak and some in clay amphora to retain purity, but build complexity.
The vineyards face north-south, at about 11 metres surrounded by mountains but on a flat plain. The vineyards are farmed organically, sustainably and biodynamically with vines cordon trained and spur pruned.