# Viña Albali Reserva (2020)

- **Producer:** Félix Solís
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo
- **Region:** Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €5
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, cloves, chocolate, leather

## About this wine

Viña Albali was inspired by the clear, starry night skies of the La Mancha plains, named after Albali, one of the brightest stars in the Aquarius constellation. Founded in 1952 by Félix Solís, the family-run winery initially established a bottling plant in Madrid before shifting back to the historic Valdepeñas facility to focus on high-quality, wood-aged red wines. Today, it is celebrated globally as an exceptional representation of Spanish viticulture, offering outstanding value and capturing the optimistic, life-affirming spirit of the region.

## Interesting facts

- The brand Viña Albali is named after one of the brightest stars in the Aquarius constellation, reflecting the clear night skies of La Mancha.
- Valdepeñas translates to 'Valley of Rocks,' referencing the region's stony, limestone-rich soils that force vines to dig deep for water.
- This wine undergoes up to three years of bottle aging at the winery before release, ensuring it is perfectly polished and ready to drink.

## Food pairing

This medium-to-full-bodied Tempranillo thrives alongside savory, protein-rich dishes. The wine's moderate acidity cuts through the richness of roasted meats and stews, while its smooth, integrated tannins are beautifully softened by the proteins and fats in lamb, pork, and aged cheeses like Manchego. The subtle oak spices in the wine complement roasted and grilled elements perfectly.

## Wine making process

Crafted from low-yielding, old Tempranillo vines grown at 700 meters elevation in clay-limestone soils. The grapes undergo controlled fermentation at 26 to 28 degrees Celsius in stainless steel tanks, with gentle maceration and short pumping over periods to optimize tannin extraction. The wine is aged in American oak barrels for 12 months, followed by an extensive maturation period of 2 to 3 years in the bottle within the winery's cellars before release.