El Vínculo (Familia Fernández Rivera) continues to demonstrate the enormous potential of the Airén grape with Alejairén Tinaja 2024, a limited-production white wine aged in clay amphorae.
In a moment when native varieties are enjoying renewed prominence, it's time to pay more attention to what many call "the Cinderella of La Mancha": the Airén grape. It is the second most planted variety in Spain and, surprisingly, almost all its cultivation is concentrated in Castilla-La Mancha. Here, wineries such as El Vínculo are exploring new expressions for this traditional variety. The result is Alejairén Tinaja 2024.
This restricted-production white comes from bush-trained old vines of more than 90 years, grown in strict dry farming, the most valuable for their concentration. In addition, it features a singular ageing method in clay amphorae, which lends a unique character deeply linked to the tradition.
El Vínculo is the Mancha-based project of the Fernández Rivera Family, a winery group originating from the mythical Tinto Pesquera of Ribera del Duero. Founded in 1999 in Campo de Criptana (Ciudad Real), the winery symbolises the union between the two Castillas and pays homage to the family’s previous generations. There they have found some of the best old dry-farmed vineyards of Tempranillo and Airén, with which white grape they produce Alejairén Tinaja 2024, one of the most seductive and distinctive whites on the current scene.
Pairing
Ideal for appetisers, Asian dishes, rice dishes, pulses and white meats.
Service
Suitable for consumption from the moment of purchase. May improve with bottle ageing, evolving favourably over time.
Serving temperature
Type of wine
Region
Origin
D.O. La Mancha
Type of bottle
Bordeaux
Capacity (cl)
75
Alcohol content (% vol.)
13.5
Vintage
Mild winter and a wet spring gave way to a hot summer typical of the area. The water reserves in the soil and old vines adapted to the climate enabled proper ripening, allowing careful picking of the harvest and resulting in this wine rich in nuances.
Winemaking
Direct pressing with subsequent fermentation in stainless steel. Aged for 9 months on its lees in 1,800-litre clay amphorae recovered from clay.
Description
Vines located at an altitude of between 650 and 750 metres above sea level, in Paraje la Golosa, an area notable for the quality of its grapes, covering an area of 3 hectares, soils of sandy texture with clays at depth.
Age
Vineyard with 90-year-old vines in a goblet-trained system and dry farming.
View
Yellow with a greenish tinge.
Nose
It presents aromas of white flowers, citrus and fresh hay.
Mouth
Aging in clay amphorae on its lees, preserving freshness and enhancing the varietal notes.
