Sip of the Week: Alloro Vineyard 2018 Riesling

If pictures are worth a thousand words, then this photo should tell you all about the beauty of the Alloro Vineyard 2018 Riesling.

Bottle of Alloro 2018 Riesling with flowers.
Floral aromas and complex flavors make this Riesling a standout wine.

Far too often, people associate the Riesling varietal with syrupy-sweet wines. While some Rieslings do run on the sweet side, there is so much more to the grape than that stereotype. The Alloro Vineyard 2018 Riesling, which hales from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is a perfect example of what a Riesling can be: complex, acid-driven, distinctly flavored, and properly balanced.

Glass of Alloro Riesling with bottle in the background.
The Alloro Riesling showcases a beautiful pale straw color. It is perfectly complimented by fresh cut flowers! Alloro Vineyard is named after the laurel plant (which is called Alloro in Italian). The laurel plant is symbolic of immortality and peace.

The Alloro Vineyard Riesling is fermented in stainless steel, which creates a crisp, clean flavor on the palate. It is left with 1.4% residual sugar, giving it a touch of sweet in every sip. The Alloro Riesling’s most distinct flavor (in my opinion) is that of bright lime juice and lime zest, which balances the touch of sweetness perfectly. Floral aromas compliment these flavors, giving the wine complexity of both smell and taste. I would describe this wine as bright, zingy, full-bodied, and nuanced. Flavors and aromas dance around your palate with every sip, leaving you wanting more!

Caitlin holding a glass of riesling.
I’m still working on developing “taste-a-vision”, where you can taste a sip of wine by looking at a picture. If you could taste this Riesling, you would understand just how beautifully complex it is!

I decided I was going to pair my Alloro Vineyard Riesling with dinner this week.

The flavor of this wine begs to be complimented by citrus and spice, so I settled on a Thai-inspired dish of kebobs with grilled lime and a spicy peanut sauce. The juicy grilled lime paired perfectly with the tart qualities of the wine, while the creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet peanut sauce created a well-rounded flavor that enhanced the Riesling’s structure. The spice in the dish complimented the acid and subtle sweetness of the Riesling perfectly.

Plate of kebobs with Alloro wine in the background.
Dinner and wine are served!
The beauty shot: homemade kebabs with spicy peanut sauce, grilled lime, and grilled onions. Served on top of rice noodles to take the Thai inspiration a step further. This was such a simple meal to throw together, but was a perfect balance to the delicious Alloro Riesling wine.
Dinner with wine in background.
One more shot…cus, why not?

Alloro’s Riesling grape is grown on-site at their property in Sherwood, Oregon.

Alloro Vineyard falls in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, and sits upon loess topsoil with decomposed basalt underneath. The vineyard is completely dry farmed, meaning there is no added irrigation during the growing season. The vineyard is largely left to its own devices, and therefore the wine in each bottle is a representation of the vineyard’s terrior: the climate, topography, soil, and other natural factors that contribute to the distinct flavors of the grapes.

Cypress trees and vineyards at Alloro Vineyard.
We had a chance to visit Alloro Vineyard during our trip to the Willamette Valley last may. Cypress trees line the vineyard, making it feel like you’re deep in the heart of the Mediterranean. The property is stunning, as are the wines this land produces.

A core value of Alloro Vineyard is sustainability, and it goes far beyond their wines.

Vineyard Manager and Proprieter David Nemarnik uses his passion for agriculture and experience in the produce business to create an environment at Alloro that is self-sustaining and mutually beneficial for both the land and Alloro’s consumers. In fact, Alloro Vineyard is LIVE Certified, Salmon-Safe Certified, and seeks to employ practices that enhance biodiversity. This is a perfect example of how sustainable living goes beyond your day-to-day practices or food sourcing…it applies to your wine sourcing, too!

Caitlin speaking with David, owner and winemaking at Alloro Vineyard.
I had the chance to talk winemaking, farming, and food philosophy with David Nemarnik (left) during my visit to Alloro. I love being able to connect with others who share my passion for sustainable agriculture. And I love being able to support their endeavors as a consumer, too!
David showing a 3D model for a new tasting room at Alloro.
David has big plans for Alloro Vineyard, and this recently finished 3D model of the new tasting room site helps others to understand his vision. I can’t wait to go back and visit the finished space!

All in all, Alloro Vineyard is producing outstanding wines on their Willamette Valley property. Stock up on the 2018 Riesling before it’s gone. It’s a bottle of pure magic!

The bottle shot! The 2018 Alloro Vineyard Riesling is pure excellence and most definitely a top ranking wine in its class. It’s no wonder Alloro has been recognized so often by wine experts.

Details:

$30.00/bottle and can be ordered online!

12.0% ABV

100% Stainless Steel Fermentation

1.4% Residual Sugar

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Glass of riesling with Alloro bottle in the background.
Don’t you want a sip of this wine?! I know I do.

Interested in learning more about the Willamette Valley? Check out my other blog posts about my visit to the area!

Three glasses of wine.
Willamette Valley: The Land of Cool-Climate Pinot Noir!
Youngberg Hill: The Ideal Getaway in the Heart of Willamette Valley Wine Country.
Bells Up Micro-Boutique Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon

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