Weekly Winedown #36 – Vista Alegre Reserva Rioja

Welcome to the Weekly Winedown. Each week I selflessly drink wine for you and offer a review.
Please don’t expect anything professional, I consume a lot of wine but I’m no pro.

The only real ‘rule’ I’m putting in place is that the wine is to be under £8 a bottle. #keepitclassy

Well, this week has been exciting!

There has been alarm and consernation here in Leeds.
There’s been this great yellow ball of fire in the sky for days.

No one is entirely sure what it wants, whether it’s heading toward us or if it means us harm!

Everyone is going about their business with one eye on the sky….

Seriously though, hasn’t it been lovely?
Some might say a little TOO warm, not I though, I try to only whinge about the cold not the warm.

Clearly the sun has gone to my head as this week I have chosen a Rioja – I don’t like rioja.

I’ll be honest, I chose it because I liked the label and it was half price at £7.50. Yes, this wine SHOULD have cost £15!

Who actually pays that much for wine?
People richer than I obviously.

Anyway, let’s crack on and say Hola to Vista Alegre Reserva Rioja!

The Label

I like it, I like it a lot.
Entirely simple in black, white and red. The name is emblazoned across the middle with a finger pointing to it, just in case you missed it…
It does exactly what it’s designed to do, make you want to buy it.

The Blurb

“Vista Alegre is the name of one of the most iconic estates in Haro, the wine capital of Rioja. It’s name comes from the beauty of the place – a landscape dominated by old vineyards on the banks of the river Tirón with the Sierra Cantabria as a backdrop. This multicoloured way was said to “cheer up strollers,” hence it’s name, which literally means “Cheerful View”. This wine is made with Tempranillo and Graciano grapes and aged for 18 months in American and French oak barrels. It stands out for its elegance and finesse and its intense aromas of dark fruit and spices.”

Well, there you go.

Lots of information about where it’s from and how it was made and very little about what to expect.
Is it trying to hide something – being all broody and secretive?
Maybe it doesn’t want to give us expectations.

At £15 a bottle I have expectations, it doesn’t  matter what the label says!

Well blow me down and call me Geoff.
I was fully expecting (hoping?) this would be awful.
I’m bitter like that.

The nose was pleasant – woody, soft spice and dark berries.
The taste was smooth, a big round taste. Almost cherry in flavour with soft tannins and a definite hint of oak.

I don’t think I’d pay £15 for it, only because I can’t imagine paying £15 for any wine just to drink at home.

This is on offer at Ocado, I’d stock up while it’s half price!

Name – Vista Alegre Reserva Rioja
Price – £7.50
Colour – Dark red – like my black hair (according to Aoife)
Smell – soft spice
Taste – round, fruity and oaky.
Goes well with – A warm Spring evening.
Overall score – 4/5