
The Alleme Estate
Alleme is produced at Bodega Talai Berri. Located in the town of Zarautz (in the Spanish side of the Basque Country).
Zarautz is a small fishing towns on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, in the province of Guipuzcoa, Basque Country, Spain.
Built in 1992, the winery lays on the sunniest slopes of Mount Talai Mendi, surrounded by 12 ha of vineyards.
Bixente Eizagirre Aginaga represents the fourth dynasty generation, and his daughters, Itziar and Onditz, the fifth generation making Txakoli out of their vineyards fruits.
The Region
- History: The Denominación de Origen Txacolí de Getaria was created in 1990 and covers around 227 hectares of vineyards, down from over 1,000 hectares at the turn of the 20th century. However, wine had traditionally been made in this manner for hundreds of years and was popular from the Middle Ages up to the end of the 19th Century, when the vines were devastated by the phylloxera virus and the effects of industrialization of the Basque Country. There are now 26 wineries (bodegas) registered with the DO.
- The Climate: The DO area is protected from the cold northerly winds by the coastal hills, and enjoys a relatively mild climate, with an average annual temperature of 13.5°C, and moderate sunlight hours. Hail is a serious risk for the grapes. The rainfall of 1,600 mm/yr is the highest of all the Spanish wine regions.
- Grape Varietals: The only authorized grapes are Hondarrabi Zuri (white) and Hondarribi Beltza (red)
The Alleme Vineyards
The vineyards are all located near the coast where they are protected from the spring frost and from the summer heat. They are planted on the southeast facing slopes for additional protection from the sea breezes and in order to receive more sunlight. The slopes are often very steep and sometimes not terraced. The vines are trained over wires and sometimes over earthen or stone pillars. They can be anywhere between 10 and 100 meters above sealevel. The subsoil is predominantly clay covered by a layer of sandy soil.
Talai Berri owns 12 hectares.
Alleme Getariako Txakolina is 100% Hondarribi Zuri
A very fruity, persistent and clean Txakoli. It reminds the white exotic fruits, such as lichy. It has a straw yellow color, without the slightest tone of rust and a faint natural gas pearl crown, due to the grape juice fermentation. In the mouth, it is greasy and unctuous, with a good balance of structure and acidity. In order to get such a Txakoli, we have combined the most traditional and the most innovative production methods to create it. Thanks to the batonnage (stirring of the lees), we have attained the characteristic unctuosity of this Txakoli.
After harvesting and pressing, the must is left to ferment in stainless steel tanks. Traditionally, and until recently, this was done in oak or chestnut barrels, called kupels, in Basque. Fermentation lasts 20–25 days and then the txacolí is left to lie on its lees. The CO2 prevents oxidation and dissolves the sediments and gives the wine its sparkling characteristic. The wines is not racked so it does not lose its sparkle and is clarified by natural sedimentation by gravity in the tank or barrel. Traditionally, the wine is tasted on the feast of San Antonio on 17 January, which is known as Txacolí Day (Txacoli Eguna, in Basque).
Alleme Getariako Txakolina Rosado is made from 50% Hondarrabi Zuri and 50% Hondarrabi Beltza
Limpid pink. Bright and energetic on the nose and palate, displaying vibrant, mineral-tinged cranberry, blood orange and white pepper qualities and a touch of pungent flowers. Racy and sharply focused, carrying no excess fat. Finishes tight and dry, displaying repeating citrus character and good persistence.
Boroli Cerequio is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo.
The Boroli family is a family of entrepreneurs, with roots in Piedmont dating back to 1831. The family started their winemaking business in1997, when Silvano and Elena Boroli felt an ardent desire to step away from the pressures of their publishing business and reconnect to nature. Silvano and Elena grew the company until their son, Achille, stepped in to run the wine-growing and production business in 2012.
With the 2012 grape harvest Achille decided to radically change the methods used in vineyards and wineries, aiming for the highest quality in Barolo and its crus. He cut production levels, updated the winemaking technology, and focused on low intervention methods to raise the quality of the Boroli wines be on par with the finest Barolo wines.
About the Vineyard
The Cerequio cru lies just across the valley from the Boroli winery in the commune of La Morra and is considered one of the most prestigious sites in the Barolo DOCG zone. It is known to produce Nebbiolo wine of enormous elegance and finesse.
Wine Production
Cerequio is distinguished by a careful selection of grapes, precise destemming, and a long maceration with submerged cap.
Tasting Notes
A clear bright ruby color with very light garnet red reflections; intense and persistent aroma of red fruit with notes of plum and cherry. A pleasant aroma of wood is noticeable after the fruity aroma, anticipating the full taste of a great wine suitable for long lasting life. A succulent, rich, full-bodied and pleasant taste emerges after the woody one, with the presence of slightly ripe red fruit.
Food Pairing
Thanks to its viscosity and body, Barolo is the ideal wine to pair with elaborate dishes and dishes like truffle dishes, meat dishes, pasta with porcini mushrooms, game, and aged cheeses. Cerequio is also perfect with dry pastries or chocolate.
Review:
Elegant bright ruby red. Fragrant and inviting nose of strawberries with whipped cream, icing sugar, elderflower and roses. Flattering palate with clear fruit and appealing acidity, unfolds into a complex style, punchy on the palate with a clear, slightly salty finish.
-Falstaff 95 Points
Bachelet Bertrand Meursault Clos du Cromin is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Meursault, the world-renowned appellation, has produced mostly fine white wines for centuries. Meursault Clos du Cromin takes its name from the village 'Le Cromin', situated in the north-east of the appellation, close to the Volnay vineyard, in rich, clay soil.
The wine reveals a beautifully transparent and brilliant color, a subtle nose of citrus fruits, butter and honey, and a long finish.
Pairs with a noble fish, or white meat in sauce.