In the Inspiring Wines ‘special book of grapes’ Albariño comes right at the start, and not just because it starts with an a! Although it does, so it would…Anyway, it’s because it produces some fabulous wines that are generally very underrated. Certainly not just for your two weeks on the Costas.
It is one of the most distinctive white wine grapes in Spain. It is abundant in Galacia, in the rain-drenched north-west, and down into Portugal’s Vinho Verde region (Where its called Alvarinho and Cainho Branco).
Over the years it has commonly been mixed with other local grapes such as Loureiro, Godello, Caiño or Arinto to produce blended wines, but since the early 80’s it started to appear as a single varietal and has never looked back. If you’ve tasted it you’ll know why.
The grapes thick skin enables it to withstand the damp climate of Galicia and the subsequent fruit is small and sweet, producing wines high in alcohol and acidity.
High quality Albariño wines are intensely aromatic of peaches, apricots with overtones of almonds on the palate. They have the ability to age gracefully and many growers are now experimenting with oak maturation. The finest Albariño wines come from the Rias Baixas DOC of Galicia. Albariño is also produced in California wine regions including the Santa Ynez Valley & Los Carneros.
If you are interested in finding out more, take a look at the Wikipedia page:
