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Aliança in the 20 Best from Wine Spectator
Aliança is one of the 20 best wine companies in the world you can count on year in and year out, according to the Wine Spectator evaluation The selection had as base the notes of 12.000 wine tastings, corresponding to 170 wines and 12 grapes, done by specialists from the north american magazine in the last 12 months. This selection placed Aliança in the group of the 20 worldwide companies with the more consistent price/quality relation, Wine Spectator used the Quality, Diversity, Cost and Availability criteria. The high level of demand from these criteria, expresses itself by considering the producers that should have at least 4.000 bottles of three different kinds of wines available, at prices lower than $20. The elected companies offer exceptional value as well as flavours and styles from the best wine regions in the World. In the group of the elected, dominated by the new world countries, there are only 4 more european companies: Georges Duboeuf (France), Citra, Alois Lageder and Mezzacorona (Italy). Aliança is the only company from the Iberian Peninsula.

According to Wine Spectator, “Aliança is a family company that is one of the most advanced and modern wine producers in Portugal, to which quality has been a guide in the path to success on the recent crops.” Aliança competed with a set of 6 wines, Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo and Beiras, wich integrated the Alentejo Alabastro Reserva and the Douro Foral Grande Escolha. VINHO VERDE: The name of the Northern wine producing region of Portugal and mostly synonymous with the fresh, crisp, slightly spritzy wine that accounts for 25% of all wine produced in Portugal. Typically 8-10% alcolhol with 7.8 to 8.2 tartaric acidity. Grapes include Trajadura, Pederña, Loureiro and Alvarinho.

* Aliança Vinho Verde – The current vintage produced one of the best vinho verdes ever with luscious flavors of lemon meringue pie. The granitic soil, the climactic conditions and the grape varieties of the Vinho Verde region of Portugal’s NW give this famous wine its special characteristics of crisp fruit and delicate aroma. Lightness and freshness make this low alcolhol crisp white wine ideal by itself and as a perfect complement to seafood, hors d’oeuvres, chicken and veal. Try it with stir frys, spicy dishes and oysters.

DOURO VALLEY: 50 to 60% of the grapes grown in the Porto e Douro Region are used to produce still wines in contrast to port. These wines are made from such well-known “Port varietals” as Touriga Nacional, Roriz(Tempranillo), Tinta Francesa and Tinta Barroca which are grown along the steep, rocky banks of the Douro
River or at the higher elevations of the surrounding plateaus.

* Aliança Foral Douro 2000 – Firm but polished and harmonious, with ripe fruit, licorice and black pepper flavors. Smooth drinking with a pleasant earthy quality, it delivers a certain elegance and long finish. “Pleasant black cherry and plum notes are supported by just the right acidity and tannins.” – Seattle Times. Enjoy with prime rib, grilled meats, stews, beef and lamb dishes, cheeses and pastas.

* Aliança Douro Grande Escolha 2000 – A “reserve” wine aged three years before release with forward fruit and appealing freshness. Bright fruit and black cherry with plum undertones distinguish this well balanced wine. ”Grande Escolha,” (Grand Selection) refers to its classification as a special reserve. 87 pts, Best Buy Wine Spectator Serve with game, hearty roasts, strong cheeses and intense pasta dishes.

BAIRRADA: Just 50 miles south of Oporto, the Bairrada wine region produces big, briary wines that go well with lamb, game and pork. Bairrada comes from the word barrio, meaning clay which refers to the chalky, clayey limestone soil of the region. The predominant grape is Baga ( “berry”), which is frequently softened and rounded with Trincadeira as Merlot is used with Cabernet.

* Aliança 1999 Bairrada Reserva – Wine Spectator reviews include -. ”A crisp, flavorful red wine with fresh fruit, vibrant acidity and firm tannins. Reminiscent of a very good Zinfandel in its balance.” Great nose, a lovely and polished wine that makes easy drinking with lamb, hearty or spicy chicken dishes, sausages, barbecue, red pasta sauces and strong cheeses.

DÃO: Adjacent to the Bairrada region in the center of Portugal, the Dão is one of the country’s oldest and most famous wine regions. Grapes are grown in very granitic soil, the best in the foothills of the Serra da Estrella mountains. Many vineyards are planted on south facing slopes to take full advantage of the sun. This region sheltered by mountains enjoys hot, dry summers and very cold winters with good rainfall. 90% of the vineyards are one hectare or less, separated by small villages and pine forests. Encruzado, Malvasia Fina, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen(tinta Mencia), Roriz(Tempranillo) & Tinta Cão are the leading grape varieties.

* Aliança Dão Reserva 2005- Exceptional value for one of the best vintages ever. A lush, quaffable red with pretty cherry & blueberry flavors. Cardamom notes on the finish. It ages at least 18 months in cask and 6 months in the bottle before release as a Reserva, rounding and smoothing the wine. Matches well with hearty meats, strong cheeses, pasta with rich sauces.

TRAS-OS-MONTES: From Portugal’s mountainous Northeast corner, comes some wonderful rustic wines that are made from grapes similar to the Douro Valley, such as Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca and Tinta Roriz(Tempranillo).

* Aliança Terra Boa 2003 Old Vines – Here’s a spectacular value from 80-plus year old vines in Portugal’s Coa River tributary to the Douro of the mountainous northeast Tras-Os-Montes region. A superb blend of Tinta Roriz(Tempranillo), Touriga Francesa and Tinta Barroca, which are also key port wine varietals. It has a rounded, approachable style with ripe blackberry fruit flavors.