Although they couldn't be more different: while Estepona celebrates the find of a 13th century tannery, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of a medieval industrial site in all of Spain, Alora's residents delight in the fact that one of the world's most prestigious wine publications has just named a local winery as having produced the best Spanish wine one can buy in a supermarket.
Tanning Processes of a different Kind
Located in Estepona town centre on a patch of land adjacent to Plaza de las Flores, where the new Hotel Maravillas is to be constructed, the important archaeological site was once a thriving medieval tannery, where animal hides were transformed into leather that formed the basic material for Andalucia's age-old leather industry.
Councillor for Local Heritage, José María Guerrero, explained that the finds date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, including five round and four rectangular troughs used in the complex medieval tanning process. The site has also yielded a ceramic kiln, which experts believe formed part of the town's 14th century pottery industry. The remains are all in good condition, and the site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries on the Iberian Peninsula, if not in all of Spain. Meanwhile, the plans for the building of the new hotel have had to be modified to allow visitors to see the remains, which will be protected by glass sheeting. It's certainly a coup for Estepona and will be another tourist attraction the town can add to its many amenities.
Supervinos' Guide gives the Thumbs up to Alora's Vega del Geva Crianza
Wine lovers' magazine Supervinos 2017 named Alora's Vega del Geva Crianza from the Pérez Hidalgo winery in Alora as the best wine to buy in a supermarket in Spain. It's the first wine to get the top number of marks in the last three years, and a credit to the hard work Alora's wine-growers have put in to create affordable, delicious wines for the future.
Written by wine expert Joan C. Martin, the 2017 guide has just been published. Before reaching their decision, wine experts tasted 981 wines, of which 152 got the “supervinos” badge, which means they are not just highly enjoyable taste-wise, but also cost less than 6.99 Euros. Of the remaining number, 48 wines were classed as “megavinos”, all costing under 14.99 Euros, but delighting the taste buds nonetheless.
One of the joys of living in Malaga Province and places like Alora, Marbella or Ronda is that there are always new wines and local specialities to discover. Supervinos magazine's guide names two hundred wines that are being offered by fifteen supermarkets throughout Spain. The guide looks at the relationship between price and quality as well as describing the individual wines' characteristics for potential buyers. There are wines ideal for drinking with tapas, new discoveries that are still unknown but of good value, classic, regular, traditional and outstanding wines, as well as wines that have won in previous selections.
The guide is a useful tool for wine lovers, as its information is accurate and constantly updated to include new wines. Easy to read and understand, this year's guide should put Alora firmly on the international wine-lovers' map.
Proud and amazed
Brothers José Miguel and Francisco Pérez Hidalgo, the co-owners of the winning winery, said how incredibly “proud” they were to be included in the magazine's pre-selection process of “megavinos”. Being named as the best in Spain was “amazing considering the quality of wine from other regions in this country.”
The guide published by Supervinos 2017 described the brothers' winning red wine as “unforgettable, a nearly perfect wine from the Sierra de Málaga”. The brothers believe their wine has an intense cherry-ruby colour and is bursting with a wide range of wild berry flavours, such as raspberry and blackberry. At just 8.85 Euros per bottle it is also quite affordable. The Alora winery sells ca. 30,000 bottles per year of this wine.