Alba de Los Andes Albariño 2022

Originating from Pirque, in the Maipo Andes sub-region of Chile, this Albariño Alba de Los Andes cuvée comes from vines planted in 2010 at an altitude of approximately 750 meters on well-drained colluvial soils, a blend of gravel, sand, and clay. The climate combines Mediterranean influences with cool mountain breezes that temper the sunny days, ensuring cool nights conducive to the slow ripening of the grape variety. The vineyard's exposure guarantees excellent sunlight, allowing the Albariño grapes to develop remarkable aromatic purity and freshness.

The winemaking process begins with a manual harvest and meticulous sorting of the grape bunches. The grapes are destemmed and then gently pressed. The wine ferments spontaneously, without the addition of chemical yeasts, for just over three weeks. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for approximately 14 months , which allows it to develop texture and aromatic complexity.

This wine reveals notes of white peach , grapefruit , lime , mountain flowers, anise , and sea spray. On the palate, the texture is fluid and vibrant , with a lively acidity that brings tension and balance, and a finish that blends freshness and minerality.

It was Hernán Cortés who ordered, upon the conquest of Mexico, the cultivation of vines in 1524. It gradually extended from Mexico southwards to reach Chile in 1555. During the first 3 centuries of colonization, there was no Cultivated in Chile as país, a black grape variety without character and very productive. It was not until the middle of the 19th century that noble varieties were introduced: mainly cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. Twenty years later, winemaking was modernized under the leadership of wealthy owners and French experts who were forced into unemployment by phylloxera in Europe. Chile stretches 4,300 kilometers from north to south. It is wedged between the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the north, the Patagonian plains and glaciers to the south. These natural barriers prevented phylloxera from entering the country. Although the country is only 160 kilometers wide, it has ideal conditions for growing warm, intermediate and cool grape varieties, so much so that it is often described as a paradise for growing grapes. With nearly 300 properties producing bottled wines, Chile fluctuates between 6th and 8th place in the world.