Tasting notes: Bideona Mayela Rioja Alavesa
Bideona Mayela Rioja Alavesa. Pure and intense aromas of dark cherries and blackberries are layered with a hint of violet and clove. The concentrated fruit is beautifully balanced by a fresh palate with chiselled, chalky tannins and a long, mineral finish.
Food Match:
A good match for grilled meats, hard cheese, pasta and rice dishes.
Producer/Region:
Bideona, founded in 2018, is a winery based in the heart of Rioja Alavesa which offers a new perspective on Rioja wines: here the emphasis is on site, rather than ageing. The vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, predominantly surrounding the villages of Villabuena, Leza, Laguardia and Baños del Ebro, with each terroir producing wines with distinctive character. The vines are extremely old and low yielding; many were planted in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and they deliver
concentrated juice with a clear identity. Vines are planted on hillsides in soils with a high percentage of limestone, a characteristic that sets Alavesa apart from the rest of Rioja, together with high altitude and vineyard age. The winemaking philosophy is to
obtain very pure, fresh and well-textured wines that reflect their origin.
The grapes come from 300 small, carefully selected parcels, situated on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria, in Rioja Alavesa. The average age of the vineyard is approximately 50 years, but some of the vines are significantly older, many were planted in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s and produce low yields of concentrated juice. The bush vines are planted in limestone soils, resulting in elegant wines that are fresh, precise and age worthy due to the balancing acidity. The vines are cultivated with respect for the environment, using minimal sprays of copper and sulphur when required. The fruit is hand-harvested in 15-kilogram boxes to preserve the quality. Mayela aims to contribute to the preservation of traditional viticulture and to the sustainability of these historic vineyards.
