Alvear Facts

Alvear is not technically a Sherry producer as their wines are from Montilla-Moriles in the Andalusian province of Cordoba. The main difference between the fortified wine of Montilla and Sherry (by definition from Jerez) is the use of the Pedro Ximenez (PX) grape rather than the Palomino grape used in Jerez. Montilla also goes through an initial fermentation in clay jars. For wine lovers this should be incidental, as these wines are impressively deep and concentrated, and like all Montilla, great bargains in comparison to Sherry.

Varietals Produced at Alvear

Don Diego de Alvear y Escalera began producing wine in Montilla in 1729. Eight generations later, the Alvear family are still stewards of the Pedro Ximenez grape at the now modernized facility. Alvear both sources grapes from their 307 acres of vineyards and contracts with local growers. The main grapes grown in this warm region (soils here are mainly chalk, limestone, and sand) are Pedro Ximenez (far and away the bulk of the crop), Moscatel, Airen, Baladi,Verdejo and Torrontes. The incredibly sweet Amontillado style, meaning in the style of Montilla, refers to wine made from grapes raisinized in the sun.

Popular Alvear Vintages

Alvear is known for its nutty Amontillado Carlos VII, made from sun dried PX grapes aged in a solera for at least five years, is a notable example.