Aalto
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Aalto
Located in the heart of the Alentejo region in Portugal, Aalto is a prestigious wine producer known for its exceptional quality and unique terroir-driven wines. Founded in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, a renowned winemaker from the famous Vega Sicilia winery in Spain, Aalto has quickly established itself as one of the top producers in the region.
The Alentejo region is located in the south of Portugal and is known for its hot and dry climate, ideal for growing grapes. Aalto’s vineyards are situated on the rolling hills of the region, with altitudes ranging from 400 to 700 meters above sea level. The combination of hot days and cool nights creates the perfect conditions for the grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex flavors.
The Aalto vineyards are planted with the indigenous Tempranillo grape variety, also known as Tinta de Toro in this region. These old vines, some over 100 years old, produce low yields of concentrated and high-quality grapes. The winery follows sustainable farming practices, respecting the environment and preserving the unique characteristics of the terroir.
Aalto’s wines are made using traditional winemaking techniques, with a focus on showcasing the true expression of the grapes and the terroir. The winery produces three different wines, Aalto, Aalto PS, and Aalto 12, each with its own distinct personality and style. The Aalto is the flagship wine, made from the best grapes of the vintage and aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. It is a full-bodied and complex wine, with notes of dark berries, spices, and a touch of oak.
The Aalto PS, or Pagos Seleccionados, is a limited edition wine made from a selection of the best plots of the vineyard. It is a powerful and intense wine, with a silky texture and a long finish. Finally, the Aalto 12 is a younger and fresher expression of the
Aalto
Aalto is a red wine producer based in the Ribera del Duero appellation of Castilla y León, in north-central Spain. The winery was founded by Mariano García, who spent decades as winemaker at Vega Sicilia, and Javier Zaragoza, formerly of the Ribera del Duero regulatory council. Their focus is narrow and deliberate: producing Tempranillo-based wines from old vines in the appellation.
Ribera del Duero sits on a high plateau at elevations typically between 750 and 900 metres, where continental temperatures and significant diurnal variation help Tempranillo retain acidity while developing concentration. The appellation is known for structured red wines with dark fruit character, firm tannins, and aging potential. Aalto works within this framework, sourcing fruit from old vine plots and applying winemaking that draws on the traditions of the region without being formulaic.
Their Ribera del Duero wine, produced from Tempranillo, represents the appellation's benchmark grape in its home territory. Tempranillo here tends toward darker, more tannic expressions than in warmer Spanish regions, and with vine age and elevation, can produce wines capable of extended cellaring.