Álvar de Dios, `Camino de los Arrieros

Country: Spain  Region: Castilla y Léon  

Varietal: Trincadeira/Tinta Amarela, Bastardo, Mencia Vintage: 2022

Category: Red Wine  Style: Dry

Producer: Álvar de Dios

Álvar de Dios Hernández is a Toro native who grew up among his grandfather's old vineyards in the village of El Pego. Before becoming the custodian of these vines in 2008, Álvar spent several years in Sierra de Gredos, where he worked with Fernando Garcia and Dani Landi. The area underwent a winemaking revolution at this time, which led to Álvar and others adopting a more Burgundian approach to production by focusing on single vineyard and ‘village’ wines.

‘Camino de los Arrieros’ is a field blend of local varieties (including Rufete, Bastardo (Trousseau), Trincadeira, Garnacha and Mencía) sourced from old vines planted on volcanic soils 750 metres above sea level in Villadepera in Arribes del Duero. Straddling Zamora’s border, the biodiversity here is so significant that the village is protected by UNESCO. The blend is whole-bunch fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for six to eight months in 228-litre oak barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes:
Bright ruby in colour, the nose is full of red berries, perfumed floral notes and a delicate minerality. The palate is well balanced, with juicy red fruits and an exuberant freshness.

Food Suggestion:
Tapas, grilled veg, jamón

 Sustainable, Vegetarian, Vegan