Located in the village of Serrada, De Alberto produces a wide range of wines in Rueda, including a large array of Verdejo whites as well as rosés and reds. Wine lovers, however, are particularly fond of their fortified wines, a traditional style which was on the verge of extinction in the region.
Since 1941, the Gutiérrez family, now in its fifth winemaking generation, has been producing these wines in an old farmhouse with a 1km-long network of underground galleries, and founded by the Dominicans in the 17th century.
The most popular, highly available brand is Monasterio de Palazuelos, which includes three varietal whites made from Viura, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. Next comes the De Alberto Range of Verdejo whites comprising a young organic wine, one aged with its lees and a barrel-fermented bottling.
Yet the jewel in the crown are the fortified wines. Dorado (€25.50 in Spain) is aged oxidatively in butts in a solera but the system is not as complex as in Jerez. At De Alberto, only about 10% of each butt’s content is drawn, which is then refilled with wine aged outdoors in demijohns (large glass jars) for at least six months. With 17% abv., this is a comforting wine with remarkable persistence.
The Pálido (€34 in Spain), which was first released in 2021 once this style was approved by the DO Rueda, is a Verdejo wine aged under flor in oak casks for three years. A Dorado Dulce is in the pipeline. All these wines are sold in 50 cl. bottles.
