BORPE VINOS Y LICORES, ALTEA – AND THE WOW FACTOR!

Colin Harkness

When I met Rodrigo in the pristine entrance to Altea’s out of town wine retailer, BORPE, he paused before speaking to me. This, I learned later, was to allow me to fully process what I was seeing. He’d noticed the tell-tale sign on my face, a look common to all who enter this largely undiscovered wine shop, a look best described as a blend of awe and delight!

He was right to do so. After a frustrating time with Google Maps I had eventually found the rather unprepossessing building, from the exterior at least, for which I had been searching. A large warehouse, joining other similar warehouses, almost surrounded by the industrial estate in which it is located. One side of the area is at least open to the countryside, albeit plants (Níspero?) unfortunately covered by agricultural plastic.

But the sign told me I was in the right place. So, you are now prepared for it – and you mustn’t be put off, it really is an Aladin’s Cave of fine wines (entry level, to the very best, and most expensive), spirits, liqueurs, Sherry, Port and more. In short (but, come on, when have you ever known me to be short?!) it is the perfect place to source all of the above – and thinking of the forthcoming festivities, well, you know where to go if in the Altea area!

Simply take the road from Altea to La Nucia and after perhaps 4 kilometres you’ll see it on the left, just before a petrol station ahead on the right. The dusty track will lead you to it – and like all who discover it, you’ll be delighted.

Rodrigo took me around the shop to see all of the above, plus wine accessories (inc. some beautiful wine glasses and decanters), a delicatessen with tasty nibbles to accompany the alcohol (and low/no-alcohol drinks, also available), sparkling wines, of course, and probably more too.

It’s almost certain that you’ve seen the BORPE vans and lorries quietly going about their business. Originally a wholesale alcoholic drinks supplier, founded in 1966 by Pedro Jaime Borja Sendra (father of the current owners) and Antonio Pérez Pérez they supply an ever-expanding list of restaurants, hotels and other retailers. In 1987 this collaboration became known as BORPE, a neat amalgamation of the names Borja and Pérez. 

Five years later the family acquired 100% of the business and moved to the premises described above. This relocation enabled them to add a significant retail arm to their expanding wholesale business. The ‘vinoteca’, the wine shop, is housed in a most impressive, perfectly lit and inviting 350 sq.m.

They stock the famous, the less famous and the local, being keen to satisfy all requirements. During the Autumn through to Summer (stopping then because of the uncomfortable temperatures – that’s for clients, not the wines, as they are all kept in the cool) they hold regular tastings, often hosted by bodegas and winemakers. This is important, in my view – it gives bodegas the opportunity to promote their wines, clients the chance to experience those wines and learn more, plus, of course, they provide a really enjoyable occasion. We’ll be going to one soon!

I wanted to sample some wine, keen to try a basic, entry level wine, one of those that are inexpensive but good quality, competing and almost invariably beating most supermarket efforts. Not everybody wants an entry level wine though, so it’s important to me to taste wine in the mid-price area, perhaps 8€ – 15€. Plus, of course, we are also looking for that special wine, a wine for celebration, a wine for a special dinner, a top wine for a present etc – so I wanted to try a wine, priced above the 20€ mark.

Readers will know that I’m keen on drinking rosado wines all year round – yes, they are a lovely way to cool down in the Spring and Summer, but they can also offer tasty drinking any time of the year. ‘Wild Dalia’ a rosé from DO Navarra, made by Bodegas Príncipe de Viana, is one of those popular pale rosados, so prevalent right now. So, that was the Entry Level wine, and it was a good start.

Over the last, perhaps, 15 years the standard of Spanish white wines has improved exponentially. If asked in the past which is the best Spanish white wine variety most Spaniards would have said Albariño a decade and more ago. It remains, of course, a wonderful fresh, fruit filled wine, which retains its subtlety whilst delivering perfectly on the flavour front. However, it’s not alone.

So I perused the shelves seeing: Godello (also from Spain’s North West); Verdejo, of course; Xarel.lo; Palomino; Albarin (yes, I know – confusing, but it is a different variety); Macabeo; Airén; Garnacha Blanca; Tempranillo (and yes, more confusion – there’s also a white Tempranillo!) – and so on. A real host of wonderful Spanish white wine varieties. However, I decided to return to Albariño – I don’t drink as much of it as I used to nowadays. Look just above, and you’ll see why! There are some many others from which to choose.

I can’t remember how much it cost but the one I went away with, was in that mid-range, where so many of us buy our wines, perhaps 13€ or 14€. We loved it, as it took us both back to those halcyon days when I’d been selected to serve on the judges panel of the 2011 DO Rías Baixas annual Albariño competition. I tasted well over a hundred different Albariños, loving them all, but having also to decide which should medal, and which didn’t quite make it.

This one had all the fruit and fresh acidity that we know Albariño is going to give us, but it also had some extra body, some presence. Full, fruity, lengthy – price perfect!

My final wine, hit that over 25€ limit – and some! Weighing in at about 35€, and considering my bank balance, I class Abadia de San Quirce Reserva, from DO Ribera del Duero, a special occasion wine. Well, Christmas is coming soon, turkey is on many peoples’ menus, and this will be a really superb marriage. 

Made with 100% Tinta del País (one of the many names for Tempranillo) it’s rich, powerful, high in alcohol and intense, yet also has that delicate subtlety that the best winemakers create. A contemplative wine which, whilst perfectly complementing fine dining, with meat dishes particularly, giving lovely flavours and aromas, also makes you think.

Speaking of which – next time you are thinking about where to purchase your next bottles of wine, I’d strongly recommend a visit to BORPE, Altea. 

Please give my best wishes to Rodrigo!

0 comentarios en BORPE VINOS Y LICORES, ALTEA – AND THE WOW FACTOR!

Este sitio usa Akismet para reducir el spam. Aprende cómo se procesan los datos de tus comentarios.