Wines Montilla-Moriles Alvear - Tres Miradas Sierra de Montilla

Viniou Reviews

Alvear’s Tres Miradas Sierra de Montilla is a fascinating white wine that showcases the singular character of the Montilla-Moriles DO in southern Spain. This cuvée is crafted mainly from the Pedro Ximénez grape, an emblematic variety of the region, known for its ability to reach optimal ripeness and produce wines of striking complexity and elegance. As a non-vintage wine, Tres Miradas is assembled for consistency and expression, blending several small plots found on the limestone slopes (albariza) of the Sierra de Montilla. The wine is aged in traditional amphorae and concrete, rather than the classic solera system, which highlights the purity of fruit and the nuance of this unique terroir.

The Montilla-Moriles region features a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine and scant rainfall. Its white, chalky soils, much like those found in Jerez, are key to retaining moisture and giving the wines their distinctive minerality and salinity. Historically, Montilla-Moriles is best known for its fortified wines, but estates like Alvear are pioneering unfortified expressions that speak to contemporary tastes while remaining true to their origins. The region’s viticultural heritage stretches back centuries, with Pedro Ximénez believed to have been brought here by monks or merchants, now firmly establishing its identity in the region.

With its distinctive freshness, nuanced salinity, and subtle oxidative whiffs, Tres Miradas makes an inspired partner for food. It shines alongside Andalusian classics such as grilled sardines, salmorejo (a thick tomato and bread soup), or fried calamari. Its minerality and savoury undertones work exceptionally well with sushi, white meats in light sauces, and vegetable-based tapas, like espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas).

For optimal enjoyment, serve Tres Miradas lightly chilled, at 10-12°C. Use white wine glasses with a gently tapered rim to focus its aromatics and allow its layered complexity to unfurl as the wine warms in the glass. Its intriguing texture and fresh finish make every glass a genuine expression of Andalusian soil and sun.