Harvests of 2022 Chocapalha, a quartet of fresh whites for the summer
07/08/2023There are four novelties: Quinta de Chocapalha Branco, Quinta de Chocapalha Sauvignon Blanc, Quinta de Chocapalha Chardonnay and Quinta de Chocapalha Viosinho. These wines are based on the philosophy of the producers, who focus on the production of wines of origin, elegant and fresh, thus reflecting the authenticity of their terroir.
Quinta de Chocapalha White 2022 is a blend of Viosinho (70%), Arinto (15%) and Verdelho (15%) grape varieties, and comes from vines that are over 32 years old. Fermentation took place for 26 days in stainless steel vats and the wine remained in contact with fine lees for 4 months with battonage. In the glass, it has a bright color. It is a fresh and elegant wine with citrus and floral aromas and hints of lychees. In the mouth, it shows excellent intensity and acidity, very elegant and a persistent aftertaste.
Good aromatic complexity is the characteristic that best defines Quinta de Chocapalha Sauvignon Blanc 2022, thanks to the grape variety from which it originates. Coming from a 29-year-old vineyard, this white fermented for 28 days in stainless steel vats and was also in contact with fine lees for 4 months. With a bright and intense color, on the nose, tropical aromas and light notes of asparagus are evident. It has excellent minerality and good volume, being extremely fresh, elegant and with a long finish.
The Quinta de Chocapalha Chardonnay 2022 is proof of the profile of the wines produced by the producers, with considerable influence from the microclimate of the property, which has an aromatic and fresh profile, conferred by the grapes from which it originates, also from vines with more than 30 years of age. Its winemaking process went through a 27-day fermentation in stainless steel vats and contact with fine lees for 4 months. In the glass, its color is bright and intense and its nose is quite elegant, fresh and aromatic with notes of stone fruits. In the mouth, it is possible to notice a good volume, balanced, with unctuousness and mineral tension. It is a harmonious wine with good acidity and an intense finish.
Finally, Quinta de Chocapalha Viosinho 2022 originates from a 32-year-old vineyard and underwent a longer aging process than the rest of the farm whites, which lasts 6 months in neutral French oak barrels in contact with fine lees and a 20-day fermentation in stainless steel vats at low temperatures. With an intense and bright color, this wine is very fresh and aromatic. On the nose, it reveals aromas of white stone fruits and lychees. In the mouth it has an excellent acidity, texture and balance.
The freshness and elegance that so characterize these farm wines make them the perfect suggestion for warmer days, ideal to be consumed alone or at the table, accompanying light dishes such as salads, white fish and seafood.
The wines can be enjoyed or purchased on the Horeca channel, wine cellars or directly at the producers’ Enoturismo, in Alenquer.
Quinta da Lagoalva with exclusive quartet of wines for hyper and supermarkets
06/08/2023In addition to rebranding, the logo and the labels of its main wine portfolio, and the debut of two Fernão Pires single varieties, Quinta da Lagoalva marked yet another novelty: a range created exclusively for hyper and supermarkets from north to south of the country and islands – a white, a rosé, a red and a Sauvignon Blanc.
In Portugal, the vast majority of consumers consume wines that are more direct and easy to understand. The factors availability of access (good presence in the market) and price are still very important in the purchase decision. This means that Lagoalva is committed to having an increasingly significant representation in large areas. In 2022, sales at Quinta da Lagoalva increased by 14%, which was due, in part, to the partnership established with José Maria da Fonseca Distribuição, which saw in this channel the opportunity for sustained growth and increased awareness of its wines from Quinta da Lagoalva. In addition to a trio that satisfies the different categories – white, rosé and red (the three with a retail price of €5.49) –, the presence of a Sauvignon Blanc varietal (€6.99) was important. , a variety much sought after by national and international oenophiles. Added to this is the fact that it is one of the most present varieties in the wine heritage of Quinta da Lagoalva, which has perfected its vinification over the years.
With a very appealing image in terms of design and the presence of color, ideal to stand out in the wine lineup of the channel for which it is intended, it maintains the authorship of OM Design and escapes the more conservative and classic side printed on the backbone of the Quinta da Lagoalva wine line. In terms of colour, ochre yellow, indigo blue and dark green stand out, in a triad of colors and objects that jump out from the façades of the houses of the Marquesa de Tancos stud farm and support farm work at Quinta da Lagoalva.
As far as whites are concerned, there is a blend with a predominance of Fernão Pires, to which are added the Arinto and Sauvignon Blanc varieties, in a profile of freshness and elegance; and a 100% Sauvignon Blanc, with strong evidence of the variety, highlighting vegetable and tropical fruit notes combined with good acidity and freshness typical of the Tagus Wines region. Also from 2022, the rosé results from a good marriage between Touriga Nacional and Syrah. With a beautiful pale pink color, it is very aromatic and, in the mouth, it is balanced, easy and fresh, ideal for this time of year. The red, from 2021, is the result of an alliance between two flagship varieties, Touriga Nacional, representing Portugal, and Castelão, the Tagus. An elegant and balanced red, with the presence of floral notes on the nose and red fruit in the mouth, in a round and easy to interact wine.
In common, these wines have the ease of being drunk solo, but the power of fitting to the table.
Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 is the best Dão wine
05/08/2023Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019, which is part of the portfolio of 19I90 Premium Wines, won the ‘Best Wine in Contest’ award, awarded by the jury of the Contest Best Wines of Dão 2023, promoted by the Regional Wine Commission of Dão ( CVR Dao). The jury, made up of winemakers, sommeliers and critics, chose Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 among 170 wines from a total of 37 producers, having also awarded this wine the ‘Platinum Medal’.
It should be remembered that, in 2022, the 2017 harvest of this wine was chosen as ‘Best Wine of Portugal’, in the Wines of Portugal Contest, organized by ViniPortugal. The Best Dão Wines 2023 Contest also distinguished four other wines from 19I90 Premium Wines with a Gold Medal: Casa de Santar Oito Parcelas, Casa de Santar Curtimenta, Casa de Santar Autumn and Casa de Santar Rosé.
According to Osvaldo Amado, enology director of the Global Wines group, «Encruzado is one of the best white grapes in Portugal and, probably, one of the best in the world, which has given us so much joy. Seeing another one of our Encruzado wines distinguished is a huge honor and motivates us to continue the work we have been developing, in the sense of creating unique wines, which stand out among the best in the world».
Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Encruzado 2019 has an intense citrus color, with abundant greenish tones, has a distinct and complex aroma, with nuances of jelly from white-fleshed fruits. It is a fresh, elegant, harmonious wine with a long persistence, perfect for accompanying delicacies based on fish and meat in structured cooking from Mediterranean cuisine, or more exotic dishes from Chinese, Indian and African cuisine.
It is a single varietal of the Encruzado variety planted in a vineyard with a history of centuries and which constitutes one of the most extraordinary landscapes of Dão – the Vinha dos Amores. The place where this vineyard is located was once called Alto dos Amores and was the meeting point for couples in love in Vila de Santar. If, in times, the magic of this landscape served to win hearts, today, the grapes that grow there serve to win over the most demanding taste of wine lovers.
The suggested RRP for this wine is €30 and can be found in the best Portuguese wineries and restaurants, as well as in the 19I90 Premium Wines online store, at 1990.wine, and in the group’s wine tourism facilities.
Harvest Program in Cartuxa
04/08/20232 km from the historic center of Évora and 200 meters from the Monastery that inspired its name, is Adega Cartuxa. This secular building, surrounded by vineyards, was the rest home of the Jesuits (Companhia de Jesus), who taught at the University of Évora in the 16th and 17th centuries. With his expulsion, in 1759, by order of the Marquis of Pombal, the property came to belong to the State. Later, in 1776, it became an important wine press that absorbed the production of the region and, in the 19th century, it was acquired by the Eugénio de Almeida family, undergoing renovations and expansions over time, which always respected the richness of its architecture.
In addition to the visit and wine tasting in this historic building, Cartuxa has prepared, for the first time, a special program of harvests at Quinta de Valbom. Thus, the visitor will get to know closely the production process in its most ancient form, learn about the choice of grapes and participate in the foot treading for the elaboration of Talha Cartuxa wines. At the end of the experience, you will have a tasting of 6 wines, accompanied by our regional snacks.
Included in the program is the offer of a vintage kit, consisting of: polo shirt, hat, shorts, slippers and subsequent delivery of a bottle of vintage wine from the harvest in which you participated. It is an initiative limited to available places and will be available for a short period of time. Price: € 300.00 p/person
NOTE: The choice of the type of tasting/wine is made by time and not by person.
Cartuxa can add side dishes to any type of tasting, which consist of sausages, cheeses, regional jams, among others, for an additional €7.50 (minimum of 2 pax). The sale of Pêra-Manca red wine is exclusive to those who take the guided tour of Enoturismo Cartuxa, limited to 1 bottle per visitor, subject to the availability of this reference
Music and Wine at the Interactive Museum House in Borba
03/08/2023The Casa Museu Interativa de Borba opens its cellar doors again and invites visitors to join in for a Wine Sunset on the patio. On the 23rd of September, from 18:30h, the music will be in charge of Victor Norways, with many wines and snacks to complement.
At a time when interest in wine is growing, this space expands visitors’ knowledge through its museum. There we get to know objects that were used for wine production, as well as iterative devices that portray the history of Vinho em Talha and the Rézio Family, owner of the space.
The production of wine in carvings is ancestral, dating back to Roman times, something that the Alentejo has never lost. Along the route in this museum, younger people also have access to interactive games that, in a playful way, expand their knowledge about this tradition. At the end of the visit there is a courtyard, where musical moments of conviviality are usually organized among wine lovers, where everyone can enjoy the typical flavors and aromas of the region.
According to the owners, the house dating from the 19th century came into the hands of the grandfather in 1936 and, since then, the house has remained in the family, being the scene of very happy family moments. On the ground floor, the cellar has 46 original clay pots, the courtyard, an old stable, well and on the upper floor the housing part. In the past, wine, vinegar and brandy were made here, and production continued until 1957, when Adega Cooperativa de Borba started operating. «This is a house with a past, but to which the Rézio Family wanted to give a future, a future with history that only gains the dimension it deserves when and if shared with everyone!» say the current owners.
To visit the Casa Museu or participate in the next musical event, just contact in advance by calling + 351 925 076 864 or by email: geral@emrezio.pt
Vinhos do Tejo launch a collective project to leverage the Fernão Pires grape variety
02/08/2023In June, the Fernão Pires Caste Day (June 20) was instituted and celebrated, an initiative of the Regional Wine Commission for Tejo Wines (CVR Tejo), with the support of Almeirim City Council, which thus gave another step in the promotion of this variety. In addition to a series of initiatives, such as open-door wine cellars, free tastings and a didactic tasting, the entity chose this event to officially present, in Portugal, the project of union and collective effort Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires and its wines, being currently a trilogy.
As the name shows, Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires is a cluster of white wines made from grapes from Fernão Pires, mostly from the Campo terroir – in the region there are also Bairro and Charneca. The Campo covers the vineyard areas located along the two banks of the Tagus River, in an extension of more than 80 kilometers, in the geographical area of Ribatejo. These grapes benefit from a microclimate, with misty mornings, hot days and cool, humid nights, which gives the wines freshness, acidity and great liveliness. Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires represents a specific profile of whites made with this variety: light, fresh and with little alcohol (up to 12%), ideal for relaxing, day-to-day consumption, alone or with food . Vibrant whites, highlighting the freshness that characterizes Tagus wines.
With a common style and backbone, each producer is free to give his stamp, creating wines that are different from each other. This comes not only from the specific location of the vineyards, but also from their age, the harvest date and the winemaking processes adopted by each one. In this launch phase, there are three participating producers: Batista’s by Pitada Verde, Quinta do Casal Monteiro and Quinta da Lagoalva.
Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires wines are accessible in terms of price (RPP), which can vary between €4.00 and €5.50. The main focus is on export markets, however, in Portugal they will be available through the channels of each producer, and it is also possible to purchase them at the Rota dos Vinhos do Tejo store: physical, in Almeirim, and online, at www .rotadosvinhosdotejo.pt.
Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires is a trademark registered by CVR Tejo, for a project that began to be thought of in 2020 – with the pandemic, first, and the war in Ukraine, then, eventually delaying its execution, creating up to some obstacles. Its objective is to add value to the vineyards and grapes of Fernão Pires – which represent 35% of the total vines in the region –; give all its Economic Agents the opportunity to produce (more) wines with the main grape variety of the Tagus Wines region; and to value the territory and its local economy, through the production of wines with a certification of origin.
Fernão Pires is the most planted white variety in Portugal, with greater expression in the Tagus Wines region, with an area of 4,500, out of a total of 13,000 hectares of vineyards. It should be noted that the versatility of this variety allows Tagus producers to create wines of very different styles: from sparkling wines to still wines, with or without wood, but also late harvests, muffled wines and even brandies. This plasticity and the promotion work carried out by CVR Tejo have generated a very interesting dynamic with regard to the “birth” of novelties, and the numbers speak for themselves: there are currently around 60 single varieties of Fernão Pires do Tejo, 50 % of which premiered since 2020, the vast majority of harvests after 2018.
The graphic identity and assumptions of a bottle of Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires
The graphic identity of Campo do Tejo® Fernão Pires comprises not just one, but three distinct labels, which, together, reveal and enhance the layout of the Tagus River. The Tagus is the essence of this region, appearing as a link and an anchor for those who live there. It was not by chance that, in wine terms, the name changed from Ribatejo (still called that, in terms of the territory) to Tejo. Thus, the Tagus River assumes preponderance in this identity, translated into “liquid gold” that winds through the agricultural fields that shape the landscape in a unique way, creating a very characteristic puzzle, revealing the abundance and richness of the region.
On each label, emphasis is given to the brand and product category, with the producer’s name appearing at the base of the image, as a signature and endorsement. Also note the fact that this is a project with sustainability assumptions: there is a single bottle for all wines, white glass and very light, and the labels are produced with a specific paper, made with 65% recycled fibre.
After a competition launched by CVR Tejo for the creation of the label, the winning idea came from a group of master’s students in design, from the University of Aveiro, having been the target of some refinements by the duo of design companies Amphora and Brand 75, partners of Tagus Wines, in England and Portugal.
Ravasqueira launches a new experience dedicated to biodiversity
02/08/2023The new ecotourism experience promoted by Ravasqueira is part of a strategy to diversify wine tourism proposals and aims to make wine lovers and the general public aware of the enormous biodiversity of that Alentejo ecosystem and how it impacts and is positively related to the viticultural activity of the property.
For Gonçalo Ribeirinho dos Santos, Ravasqueira’s marketing director, «at a time when we are expanding our wine tourism offer, we see this commitment to nature tourism as crucial. The more than 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira preserve a unique and absolutely fascinating biodiversity, to which we also owe the quality and excellence of our wines. It will be a journey through the vineyards, guided by the vast knowledge of the biologist Mário Carmo, who, over the last year, has been carrying out a thorough and rigorous survey of the local fauna and flora. An opportunity to discover Ravasqueira from another point of view and an ideal proposal for the whole family».
This bet intends to guarantee a different and familiar offer in Ravasqueira. Limited to 25 people (being held with a minimum of 10) per session, the experience takes place every month, on Saturday morning. The first visit is already scheduled for the 27th of May, and is available for booking on the Ravasqueira website, at http://www.ravasqueira.com. With a cost of 25 euros per participant, this experience takes us on a journey between hills and vineyards, highlighting how biodiversity shapes the excellent Alentejo wines produced on the property. Each visit will be different, following the cycle of nature and the vineyards, ending with a wine tasting from Ravasqueira.
Ravasqueira is renewing its wine tourism offer, investing in new programmes, visits, tastings, courses, workshops and other experiences that promote Alentejo culture and tradition in harmony with a rich and diverse ecosystem that allows the production of great wines. We invite you to come and discover the 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira, through the animals, plants, wines, flavors and people who tell its long history.
A visit to Churchill’s cellars
28/07/2023With a privileged view over the Douro, Churchill’s cellars, in Vila Nova de Gaia, are a mandatory stop for anyone who is passionate about wine. At the visitor center, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the wine aging process with the team of ‘wine educators’, or even enjoy an exclusive and personalized tasting with one of its enologists.
A visit to Churchill’s cellars includes the Sala dos Tonelis, the Tawny Warehouse and the Vintage Cellar. Visitors are guided through the 40-year history of ‘Churchill’s’ house and the family that founded it, getting to know the world of Port wine through the aging process – from the large barrels of Reserve and LBV, to the cellar where Port wines are Vintage Port rests and ages in the bottle, right up to the large barrel warehouse where the house Tawny wines and their iconic dry white Port wine are aged.
The tasting experiences are divided between Port and Douro wines. To discover the brand’s Port wines, visitors can opt for: Classic Tasting; Try Ruby; Wood-Aged Proof; Gricha Terroir Vintage Port tasting (winemaker’s selection); and Churchill’s Vintage Port Tasting (winemaker’s selection). For Douro wines, the Classic Tasting is available; Classic tasting with native grapes and Gricha Terroir tasting.
In both experiences, it is possible to order a selection of cheeses to go with it, or even opt for the Tasting of the Day, designed and selected by the Churchill’s team for visitors who want to be surprised. Tastings vary between €15 and €45 per person.
After the tasting, visitors can take home the references they liked the most through a visit to Churchill’s cellar. The real challenge is choosing: from Ruby Ports to wood-aged Ports – with emphasis on the 30 and 40 year old Tawny Ports, included among the ‘Best of the Year’ by Revista de Vinhos –, there are several options in the brand’s universe. To break the tie, there is also a Churchill’s Port Experience Pack with a tasting of the three Port wine styles – ruby, tawny and white.
In addition to the cellars, visitors can, from Friday to Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm, enjoy the rest of the day at the 1982 Bar and in Churchill’s garden, while savoring a glass of wine with the unforgettable scenery of Porto, the Douro River , and the mural by visual artist and illustrator Kruella D’Enfer who brought an explosion of color to the space in 2021, in a unique artistic intervention.
Visits and tastings can be made from Monday to Sunday, always from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last visit to the cellars scheduled for 5 pm. And the garden is open from Friday to Sunday, from 2 pm to 7 pm, from May 5th.
Churchill’s also offers the possibility for visitors to book an exclusive visit with the presence of winemakers. or by phone. For more information, see Churchill’s website https://www.drinkchurchills.com/en/
Torre de Palma suggests a holiday program with activities for the whole family
26/07/2023The Torre de Palma Wine Hotel is preparing to welcome the hot summer days with a program designed for the whole family. With tranquility as its calling card, the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel offers activities that fill the days while resting in these wine regions. For adults, the proposal is mainly to discover the Adega Torre de Palma. In addition to visiting the wine cellar, where you can learn a little more about the brand’s collection and production methods, visitors are also invited to enjoy a Welcome Drink with Torre de Palma wine at the top of the Torre da Herdade, where you can enjoy the sunset.
As for the little ones, the activities were designed to provide games that awaken them to the discovery of new stimuli, such as the Treasure Hunt and the Pizza Workshop promising moments of great fun, as well as diving in the outdoor pool, ideal for hot days in Alentejo. Still with the family, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel suggests bike rides around the property and walks along the ‘Torre de Palma Trail’. The SPA is also available, with access to the indoor pool, jacuzzi and Turkish bath, by appointment.
In the evening, the program extends to the Palma Restaurant, where chef Miguel Laffan welcomes visitors with dishes full of Alentejo flavor, where local products stand out, such as homemade sausages, pure cheeses or carefully selected grazing animals.
«Our offer combines traditional flavors with the lightness suitable for hot days, such as duck pie roasted in a wood-fired oven with watercress and orange salad, grilled squid, prawn rice or black pork piano with Thai salad , with the suggestion of pairing with Torre de Palma wines. In the menu there is also a variety of vegetarian dishes and also for the little ones», explains chef Miguel Laffan.
For other unforgettable experiences, the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel also suggests peaceful horseback rides through the estate, vaulting lessons, stargazing, spa massages, wine tasting, cocktails by the pool, picnics in the olive groves or the magnificent walk in hot air balloon with breathtaking views.
The Summer Holidays Program in Torre de Palma has a minimum stay of 3 nights and includes: Accommodation with breakfast, Half board at the Palma Restaurant by Miguel Laffan (drinks not included), Welcome Drink at the Tower with Torre de Palma wine at sunset -of the sun; Visit to the Torre de Palma Winery; Children’s activities: Treasure Hunt and Pizza Workshop; Bicycles for touring around the property; Free access to the SPA (indoor pool, jacuzzi and Turkish bath) by appointment; Walking suggestion ‘Torre de Palma Trail’; Possibility to customize the program with different activities to choose from with a 15% discount.
*10% discount on Accommodation on direct bookings.
Quinta da Lagoalva rebrands and debuts Fernão Pires in single varietal
24/07/2023Quinta da Lagoalva – wine project of the Holstein Campilho family, located in Alpiarça and one of the largest and oldest properties in the Tagus Wine region – chose 2023 as a year of change, materialized in the rebranding of the logo and labels of its portfolio of wines, which will hit the market by the end of the year, as new vintages are launched. Added to this is the commitment to the region’s flagship grape variety, with the debut of Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires and another reference, to be revealed soon. Led by Pedro Pinhão, administrator and director of oenology – in partnership with oenologist Luís Paulino –, this dynamic arises within the scope of the movement to promote this variety, promoted by the Regional Wine Commission for Tejo Wines, at national and international level.
The new image was developed by the Portuguese design and advertising agency OM Design, in close collaboration with the oenology, commercial and wine tourism teams at Quinta da Lagoalva. Creatives and designers visited the farm and immersed themselves in the universe of Lagoalva, in order to capture its essence and some of the most striking elements, which came to integrate the new labels, in image and in texts – written with the support of the family and some of older workers. A way of honoring the legacy of this iconic property, with 830 years of history and 660 contiguous hectares, of which 42 are vineyards and 16 olive groves.
The logo, a striking element on the current labels, kept the iron of the Quinta da Lagoalva stud farm – alluding to the Marquesa de Tancos, great-aunt of the owners – as a symbol. Assuming the historical legacy, it became part of the mention ‘Circa 1193’, the date of the first registration of Quinta da Lagoalva. In terms of colors, we opted for blue and gold and, for the spelling, for a sans-serif typeface, in a combination between contemporaneity and classicism, the path chosen for this new image. Icons of this Ribatejo farmhouse, the palace façade and the clock tower will be present on all the labels of the Lagoalva, Quinta da Lagoalva and Dona Isabel Juliana ranges.
To materialize this new identity, which will reach the market throughout this year, Quinta da Lagoalva already has the new vintages of white, rosé and red Lagoalva on the market; Lagoalva Sauvignon Blanc; Lagoalva Reserva white and red, but also its absolute debut: the Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires white 2021.
Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires, from the 2021 harvest, is a muscular white, with the Fernão Pires grape variety revealing its more floral and herbaceous side – more than the usual fruitiness associated with this variety –, freshness and structure, the latter imprinted by the stage in French oak barrels.
At Quinta da Lagoalva, the white varieties are planted in fertile alluvial soils, capable of retaining water and imparting freshness and acidity to the grapes and, therefore, to the wines. These factors, associated with the wide temperature ranges that are felt in the Tagus Wine region, with hot days, cold nights and humid mornings, are ideal for the production of this wine. The grapes of this Fernão Pires come from an old vineyard, almost 70 years old, being harvested by hand. This is followed by the pressing of the whole bunches, carried out in a pneumatic press. After 24 hours of decantation, the must ferments at 20ºC in used barrels – 2nd, 3rd and 4th years – made of French oak with a capacity of 500 liters, with the aim of conferring complexity, but without “masking ” the fruit. Once fermentation is complete, it ages for 12 months in the same barrels, with weekly bâttonage for 2 months. With a pale yellow color, this Fernão Pires reveals a complex aroma, with the presence of white fruit, but admittedly floral notes and some herbaceous and good minerality, associated with the elegance of vanilla from the wood. In the mouth it is plump, fresh and balanced. It should be served at 12ºC with grilled meat, fish, seafood or soft cheese. For those who go to the property, the wine is also for sale at the wine tourism shop in Lagoalva.