This Weekend's Pick

Wine of the Weekend

Marques de la Concordia Vina Alarde Reserva 2013

Welcome to 2020! We gave you last week off in case you needed an extra day or two to recover from ringing in the decade. Today we’re right back to business, and January is always a good month to talk value. This week’s wine happens to be gracing the cover of the LCBO’s Vintages magazine, and for good reason. Marques de la Concordia Vina Alarde Reserva 2013 is exceptionally priced and is a go-to red for all occasions making it the perfect way to start off the new year!

Tasting Notes: Vina Alarde Reserva 2013 is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache), creating delicious vanilla and plum overtones backed up by juicy strawberry and morello cherry flavours. Soft fruit and smooth tannins make this a round and silky wine to drink.

Enjoy With: Roast lamb or other red meats, hearty stews and casseroles, and semi-hard cheeses.

Style: A dry, spicy, full-bodied red wine.

Terroir/Region: The Rioja region, like the rest of Spain, takes aging its wines very seriously. It’s the law, really. Marques de la Concordia Vina Alarde is a ‘Reserva’ wine, meaning it must (by law) be aged for a minimum of one year in wood (oak barrels), and two years in bottle before it can be released. This helps integrate the blend and soften the tannins, while adding oak spices and mellowing the wine. This means the wine has already been perfectly aged to be enjoyed tonight!

Producer: Founded in 1877 by Don Miguel Martínez Berberana, Marques de la Concordia has become a leading Rioja estate. The winery has won awards for its wines every year since being founded (143 years!), nailing down its house style and creating consistent quality for its appreciators worldwide.

Availability: Marques de la Concordia Vina Alarde Reserva 2013 will be available in the Vintages section of your local LCBO and for online ordering as of January 11, but some stores may already have it on the shelf. Grab a few bottles to re-stock what the holidays drained away from your cellar!

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Price: Now $17.95

LCBO#: 10548

Size: 750mL

Alcohol Content: 13.5% alc./vol.