Alegro Rioja Crianza 2018
SKU
ALCR201810 UCAU
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A wine that captures the beauty of the Rioja region and its rich winemaking traditions.
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Beautiful Deep ruby color and aromas of red and black fruits, vanilla, and a hint of spice
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Medium-bodied and well-balanced, with flavors of ripe berries,balanced by soft tannins and a long, smooth finish
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1 or more bottles$24.99
Editors notes
Alegro Rioja Crianza 2018 is a wine that captures the essence of the Rioja region of Spain.
Made with Tempranillo grapes that are carefully selected from the best vineyards in the area, this wine is aged for a minimum of one year in oak barrels and then further aged in the bottle to develop its complex, layered flavors.
As you pour the wine into your glass, you'll be captivated by its deep ruby color and the aromas of red and black fruits, vanilla, and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with flavors of ripe cherries, plums, and a subtle hint of oak that are balanced by soft tannins and a long, smooth finish.
This wine is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a range of dishes, from grilled meats and vegetables to hearty stews and pasta dishes.
Details
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Wine Type
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Vintage
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Variety
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Brand
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Location
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Cellaring
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Closure
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Alcohol Percentage
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Bottle Size
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Oak Type
Tasting Profile
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Cherry
- Herbal
- Plum
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Palate
- Cedar
- Cherry
- Fig
Food Pairings
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Game -
Pork -
Red Meat
Critic Scores & reviews
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Mark Faber
95"Leather, bay leaf, cedar, tobacco and a core of bright red fruit. Medium weight, the palate expresses bright red fruits layered over with tobacco, cedar, dried spices and bay leaf, with a lovely, complex savoury finish. An exceptional modern and stylish example from this old world region."
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Sam Kim
93"A gorgeous rendition, the inviting bouquet shows dark berry, subtle spice, rich floral and nutmeg aromas, followed by a silky-smooth palate that's succulent and beautifully rounded. Tannins are supple and in good balance, offering excellent drinking. At its best: now to 2036."
Other vintages
Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.
Current auction
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Locations
Spain
Spain is definitely one of the new-world players to keep an eye on. It is the land of old-vines, american oak and sherry! The main varieties grown in Spain are Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) in the reds, and Airén, Viura/Macabeo, Verdejo and Albarino for the whites. Lesser grown whites include Palomino. Other reds successfully cultivated include Carignan, Mourvedre and Mencia.
Although Spain can be quite a warm country, the vast majority of vineyards are 600m or so above sea level, so the cooler nights allow the grapes to develop full colour and acidity.
Rioja is undoubtedly the long-standing king of all the Spanish wine regions, where Tempranillo and Garnacha are commonly blended. However more recently many more regions have come to the forefront of interest. Ribera Del Duero is producing excellent Tempranillo blends rivalling those coming out of Rioja. Jerez in the South is the home of the fortified wine Sherry.
Spanish wine laws created the Denominación de Origen (DO) system in 1932 and were later revised in 1970. These include:
- Denominación de Origen Calificada (formerly called DOCa) Priorat calls itself DOQ for Denominació d'Origen Qualificada in Catalan and has a track record of consistent quality and is meant to be a step above DO level.
- Denominación de Origen (DO)- Used for mainstream-quality wine regions. Nearly two thirds of the total vineyard area in Spain is within the boundaries of a DO region.
- Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD) - This is somewhat of a stepping stone to DO status.
- Vinos de la Tierra (VdIT) - A level similar to France's vin de pays system, where the regions are much larger.
- Vino de Mesa (VdM)- The equivalent of 'table wines' from France or Italy
Rioja
Rioja is located in the south of the Cantabrian Mountains along the Ebro river in the north of Spain. The region also has a river called Rio Oja, which is where the region likely gained its name. There are three main regions in Rioja, with each of them producing quite unique expressions of Rioja wines.
To the west is Rioja Alta, in the higher elevated area. This sub-region is renowned for its old-world wines that are often lighter on the palate due to the higher altitude. The wines coming out of Rioja Alavesa on the other hand are fuller bodies, with higher acid levels than those from Rioja Alta. The third area, Rioja Baja is the warmest and driest of all, and can in summer months can be exposed to very high temperatures drought so irrigation is now permitted in the region.
The reds (tinto) wines of Rioja are generally blends of Tempranillo and Garnacha with lesser amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo. Amongst the white (bianco) varieties, Viura is the most common though normally blended with Malvasia or Garnacha Blanc. Plenty of interesting Rosé wines are produced, most commonly from the Garnacha variety. Note that wineries in Spain are commonly referred to as bodegas.
Rioja Alta
There are three main regions in Rioja, with each of them producing quite unique expressions of Rioja wines. To the west is Rioja Alta, in the higher elevated area. This subregion is renowned for its old-world wines that are often lighter on the palate due to the higher altitude. The wines coming out of Rioja Alavesa on the other hand are fuller bodies, with higher acid levels than those from Rioja Alta. The third area, Rioja Baja is the warmest and driest of all, and can in summer months can be exposed to very high temperatures drought so irrigation is now permitted in the region.
The red (tinto) wines of Rioja are generally blends of Tempranillo and Garnacha with lesser amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo. Amongst the white (bianco) varieties, Viura is the most common though normally blended with Malvasia or Garnacha Blanc. Plenty of interesting Rosé wines are produced, most commonly from the Garnacha variety.
Note that wineries in Spain are commonly referred to as bodegas.
About the brand Alegro
For many years, Alegro has established partnerships with more than 500 families of small grape growers who have dedicated their lives to cultivating vineyards and passing down their expertise to future generations. Through these collaborations, Alegro has gained valuable experience and a deep understanding of the terroirs that are best suited for growing various grape varieties.
The winery's vineyards, as well as those owned by its partnering families, are spread out across 28 small municipalities located in the central part of the Rioja wine region. This vast distribution offers an array of orientations, growing systems, grape types, soil compositions, and more. Together, they form a melting pot of Rioja wine and showcase its diversity.
Alegro's expertise and knowledge, gained from its partnerships with small growers and its own vineyards, allow them to create wines that capture the true essence of Rioja. Their wines are characterized by a balance of flavors, elegance, and reliability, which reflect the winery's commitment to showcasing the unique qualities of the Rioja region. From the grape to the glass, Alegro's winemaking process is steeped in tradition, skill, and innovation, resulting in wines that are authentic, distinctive, and memorable.
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