Alfredo Maestro grew up in the heart of Ribera del Duero – a renowned DOP wine region in the north of Spain. It was here that he founded his winery in 1998; a humble beginning in a garage in Peñafiel (Valladolid). Many winemakers in this region favour the popular Tempranillo, but Alfredo focuses on old vines of Grenache, Tintorera (locally known as Alicante Bouschet), and Albillo. The vines grow over 9 hectares, on various plots which offer a diversity of soils and plant life and give the wines plenty of unique character. He gathered these vineyards gradually, always on the lookout for neglected soil to revitalise and high altitudes to give the wines freshness – some reaching 1000 metres above sea level. Lovamor 2021 is a new take on a native variety. Albillo is traditionally used in this region to make a dry white wine, or sometimes added to red wines as a secret ingredient – but Alfredo has created a unique gem from these hundred-year-old vines. The grapes were picked in the last week of September, de-stemmed, and left to macerate with their skins for seven days. Once they have been transferred to stainless steel tanks, the trub (the particles that make up sediment) is left to settle.
Lovamor 2021 is a new take on a native variety. Albillo is traditionally used in this region to make a dry white wine, or sometimes added to red wines as a secret ingredient – but Alfredo has created a unique gem from these hundred-year-old vines. The grapes were picked in the last week of September, de-stemmed, and left to macerate with their skins for seven days. Once they have been transferred to stainless steel tanks, the trub (the particles that make up sediment) is left to settle. This is a complex, juicy and fresh wine with plenty of structure. On the nose, orange blossom and toasted rye followed by refreshing acidity and a delicate bitterness on the palate. This wine needs some air so be sure to decant an hour before drinking, and enjoy with seafood or a caesar salad.