Albariño is one of my favorite whites, especially during the summertime. It's the perfect porch sipper or even food-friendly wine out there! I love pairing this wine with fish-based foods. Whitefish, fish salad, fish tacos, and sushi are excellent pairings with the stone fruit notes, citrus, high acid, and saline notes. Albariño is usually grown in the area of Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain, along the Iberian Peninsula. A lot of influence from the Atlantic Ocean which is where part of its saline components come from. Since the grape has such high acid, it can also come from Succinic Acid, which is an acid usually found in grapes where it can have the wine taste "Salty" or "bitter." Also known as Alvarinho in Portugal where its usually grown in the Vinho Verde region.
Six Fun Facts for Albariño
On the Wine Day Calendar, August 1st is Albariño Day!
Some of the oldest living vines in the world are Albariño vines, up to 300 years old. (For comparison, the oldest known grapevine in the world is over 400 years old.)
It’s common to see the word “Albariño” on Spanish labels, unlike other areas, which titles by region.
Spanish and Portuguese winemakers have always treasured the freshness of Albariño and don’t age in oak. However, you can find a few producers making rich oak-aged styles with brioche-like aromas today.
The grapes are tiny with thick skins. Not only does this make Albariño harder to produce, but it also results in a distinct raw-almond or citrus-pith-like bitterness from the skin’s phenol content.
Most Albariño vineyards have a very different look. Vines are trellised above your head on Pergolas to help keep grapes dry and rot-free.
Check out the video I did for the Citizen Wine 'Sand Boy' Albariño Rias Baixas 2022: https://youtu.be/TEnWEjwb5P4
Comments