Aalto

Aalto Wine: A Spanish Viticultural Treasure Ranked Among the World's Best

Bodega Aalto is one of Spain's most renowned wineries, located in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, between the historic cities of Valladolid and Burgos in the Castilla y León region. Founded in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, former oenologist of the famous Bodega Vega Sicilia, and Javier Zaccagnini, this estate has managed to establish itself among the world's best vineyards in just a few decades.

The founders had a clear ambition: to produce wines of exceptional quality using the best modern techniques while respecting the centuries-old traditions of the region. Today, Aalto is considered one of the world's top wine producers, a distinction confirmed by its place in the ranking of the 100 best wineries established by experts Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve.

History and Foundation of Bodega Aalto

The Ambition of the Founders: Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini

The Aalto project was born from a collaboration between two emblematic figures of the Spanish wine world. Mariano Garcia, known for his work at Vega Sicilia, one of Spain's most prestigious estates, and Javier Zaccagnini, a passionate manager, combined their expertise to create a winery with a single objective: to produce one of the best wines in the world.

Their quest began in 1999 with the purchase of 32 hectares of land in the Ribera del Duero. Their vision was simple yet ambitious: to use the best viticultural practices to reveal the full potential of the Tinto Fino grape, an emblematic variety of the region.

The Unique Terroir of Ribera del Duero

An Exceptional Terroir Serving Tinto Fino

Ribera del Duero is a unique wine region in Spain, known for its varied soils and extreme climate. The vineyards of Bodega Aalto are planted on soils that range between clay, limestone, and sand, offering an ideal environment for the Tinto Fino grape, also known as Tempranillo.

The extreme continental climate of Ribera del Duero, with its hot and dry summers and harsh winters, allows the grapes to ripen slowly, concentrating aromas and flavors. These conditions, combined with the vineyard's high altitude, guarantee wines with complex structures and remarkable longevity.

The Tinto Fino Grape: The Essence of Aalto Wine

An Ancient Grape with Modern Potential

Tinto Fino, a variety of Tempranillo, is one of Spain's oldest grape varieties and constitutes the essence of Aalto wines. This grape offers qualities comparable to other great global varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc and Pinot Noir in Burgundy. The richness and diversity of the aromas it develops in Ribera del Duero are unparalleled.

The old Tinto Fino vines, some over 60 years old, produce grapes concentrated in flavors, with low yields but exceptional quality. This allows Bodega Aalto to produce wines of extraordinary complexity and depth.

The Wines of Bodega Aalto

Aalto: The Perfect Balance Between Tradition and Modernity

The Aalto wine is the flagship product of the estate. It is made with the best Tinto Fino grapes and aged for 16 to 18 months in French oak barrels. This wine embodies the very essence of the Ribera del Duero terroir, with complex aromas of dark fruits, spicy notes, and a silky texture.

Since 2008, Aalto wine has regularly received scores above 90 points from the famous critic Robert Parker, attesting to its exceptional quality. This wine is a perfect balance between power and elegance, offering a long, persistent finish that will delight enthusiasts of great wines.

Aalto PS: An Exceptional Wine from Old Vines

Aalto PS (Pagos Seleccionados) is the second emblematic wine of the estate, produced only in the best years. It is made from the oldest vines of the estate, some over 80 years old. These deeply rooted vines produce grapes of exceptional concentration and intensity.

Aalto PS is aged for more than 18 months in new French oak barrels. This wine presents powerful aromas of dark fruits, cocoa, tobacco, and vanilla, with a remarkable tannic structure. Like Aalto, Aalto PS has also regularly been rated above 90 points by Robert Parker since 2009.

The Winemaking Process at Aalto

Meticulous Winemaking

Winemaking at Aalto is based on an artisanal approach where every detail counts. The grapes are hand-harvested and meticulously sorted to keep only the best clusters. Once in the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruit's aromas and freshness.

Barrel aging is a key element of the process, as it adds layers of complexity to the wine. At Aalto, only French oak barrels are used, often new, to bring subtle notes of vanilla, spices, and toasted wood to the wine without masking the fruit's character.

The Modern Architecture of Bodega Aalto

An Estate Combining Tradition and Innovation

In addition to its remarkable wines, Bodega Aalto stands out for its contemporary and innovative architecture. The estate was designed to integrate the latest production technologies while respecting the environment. The cellar facilities are state-of-the-art, with a sleek design that reflects the estate's meticulous approach to winemaking.

Visitors to Bodega Aalto can admire a beautifully designed cellar where every detail has been thought out to optimize production while offering a pleasant setting for wine tasting. This blend of modernity and tradition makes Bodega Aalto a unique place.

Distinctions and Awards of Domaine Aalto

International Recognition

Since its creation, Bodega Aalto has quickly gained international renown thanks to the exceptional quality of its wines. Critics worldwide, including Robert Parker, have praised Aalto wines for their complexity, balance, and aging potential. Moreover, the estate has been ranked among the top 100 wineries globally by Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve, a major recognition in the wine world.

Scores Above 90 Points

Aalto and Aalto PS wines regularly receive scores above 90 points, a distinction reserved for exceptional wines. These scores highlight not only the quality of the wines but also the estate's commitment to producing wines of consistent excellence.

Aalto Wine in Gastronomy

Food and Wine Pairings

Aalto wines are renowned for their gastronomic versatility. Thanks to their tannic structure and rich aromas, they pair wonderfully with a wide range of dishes. Here are some food and wine pairing suggestions to fully enjoy Aalto wines:

• Aalto: Ideal with grilled meats, game, or mushroom-based dishes. The dark fruit and spice aromas pair perfectly with red meats and rich sauces.
• Aalto PS: With its concentration and complexity, it wonderfully accompanies more elaborate dishes like duck breast, rack of lamb, or aged cheeses.

Visiting Bodega Aalto: A Unique Experience

A Place to Discover

For wine enthusiasts seeking a unique experience, visiting Bodega Aalto is a must. In addition to discovering the winemaking process, visitors can admire the estate's contemporary architecture and taste some of Spain's best wines in an exceptional setting.

The estate offers guided tours by reservation, where visitors can learn more about the estate's history, winemaking techniques, and of course, taste Aalto and Aalto PS wines.

Conclusion: A Treasure of Ribera del Duero

In just a few decades, Bodega Aalto has become a key reference in the wine world. Thanks to the expertise of Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini, and the exceptional terroir of Ribera del Duero, Aalto wines stand out for their quality and aging potential. For great wine enthusiasts, Aalto and Aalto PS are must-tries.

FAQ About Aalto Wine

What is special about Aalto wine? Aalto wine stands out for the use of the Tinto Fino grape, an emblematic grape of Ribera del Duero, and its aging in French oak barrels. These characteristics give it aromatic complexity and exceptional tannic structure.

What is Aalto PS? Aalto PS (Pagos Seleccionados) is a wine produced only in the best years from the estate's old vines. It is a powerful, complex wine highly appreciated by critics.

How long can you keep a bottle of Aalto wine? Aalto wines, especially Aalto PS, have an aging potential of over 20 years thanks to their tannic structure and concentration of aromas.

Where is Bodega Aalto located? Bodega Aalto is located in the Castilla y León region, between the cities of Valladolid and Burgos, in the heart of Ribera del Duero.

Who are the founders of Bodega Aalto? The estate was founded in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, former oenologist of Bodega Vega Sicilia, and Javier Zaccagnini, a passionate wine manager.

Are Aalto wines organic? Although Bodega Aalto does not have organic certification, it applies environmentally friendly viticultural practices and minimizes the use of chemicals.