Have you tried Albariño before? If not may I introduce you to a beautiful white wine that you might like to acquaint yourself with. This vibrant Spanish and Portuguese grape variety is filled with light-bodied freshness, and a unique palate full of freshness. It is sometimes described as having an aroma like being on the coast with a sea breeze through an orchard on a summer day. If you love a wine that tastes like summer in a bottle, Albariño will be your jam. This wine is gaining popularity, and so this Albariño wine guide will give you everything you need to know about this refreshing grape variety.
Albariño Wine Guide
- Name: Albariño
- Pronounced: Ahl-bar-ree-nyoh
- Type of wine: White wine
- Body: Light to Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: High
- Flavours: Lemon, grapefruit, nectarine, salinity
- Pairs with: Salad, oily fish, shellfish
Albariño, or Alvarinho in Portugal, is a dry wine packed full of citrus, lime and stonefruits along with minerality. These wines are made to be consumed young while their acid is fresh and the aromas are vibrant. The Albariño grapes are tiny with thick skins which makes the wine harder to produce, but they are becoming popular in the new world of wine across California and Australia. The vineyards look a little in the old world however with vines trellised above your head on Pergolas to keep the grapes dry!
Origin of Albariño
Albariño is one of Spain’s most popular white wine varieties but is also quite popular in Portugal. It is thought to have been first planted in Spain by monks in the 12th century AD. The main region in Spain is Rias Baixas in Galicia which is on the cooler north-west coast of Spain.
In Australia, there is a bit of controversy about Albariño. Early rootstocks of Albariño were found to be Savagnin in early 2009! This problem was traced back to 1989 when Spanish authorities accidentally supplied the incorrect propagating materials to the CSIRO. So today we have not one, but two delicious white wine varieties as an outcome – so it’s not all bad!
Flavour profile of Albariño
An Albariño Wine Guide wouldn’t be complete without discussing the flavour profile. Albariño is an aromatic wine with a weighty mid-palate and mouth-watering acidity. What makes it so unique is a salinity or minerality at the finish of the palate. Aromas of nectarine, lemon, lime and grapefruit come together for a bright flavour profile with a crisp and clean finish. It is also known for being a little tangy thanks to the minerality which makes it a great white wine for pairing with food. If you are looking for a wine that tastes like being on the seaside in Spain – this is sure to be your new favourite!
Where you’ll find Albariño
Albariño performs best in cool to moderate climates but with thick skins and hardy vines, it is sensitive to mildew and rot. Therefore it benefits from well-draining soil to keep the roots dry, particularly in wet regions.
While it prefers cool to moderate climates like Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, King Valley, Adelaide Hills, and McLaren Vale, it also does well in warmer climates like the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley and Riverland. https://www.wineselectors.com.au/selector-magazine/wine/know-your-variety-albarino
If you’re looking for old-world Albariño, Spain’s key region is Rias Baixas. It is divided into five sub-zones: Ribeira do Ulla, Val do Salnés, Soutomaior, Condad do Tea and O Rosal. Wines are controlled by a wine commission called the Consejo Regulador which maintains rules and regulations. This cover specifically allowed varieties, vineyard methods and yields. There is also a strict tasting committee that samples all wines for quality assurance.
In Australia, Albariño is grown all over. It prefers cool to moderate climates such as Mornington Peninsula, King Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and Tasmania. But warmer climates such as the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley and Riverland are also producing some beautiful Albariño too!
What to pair with Albariño
Albariño’s crisp fruity flavours and fresh acidity make it a great match with food. However, there isn’t a more perfect match than seafood. With the slight salinity in the wine, it goes great with fish of all kinds as it works well as a palate cleanser. But it particularly matches well with seafood dishes that are salty, oily, fatty or spice. It also pairs well with sushi, ceviche and sashimi!
Albariño is also great with salads with tart dressings, so is a great match to summer salads or light tapas.
Summary: Albariño Wine Guide
As we reach the end of this Albariño wine guide, I hope you’re inspired to try something different with your white wines. Crisp, light, refreshing and perfect for Summer. Albariño delivers on flavour and is sure to transport you to a Spanish coastline as you sip it. Citrus and salt come together into a refreshing wine that’s perfect when paired with seafood. So as the weather heats up, check out this awesome Spanish variety to try something different.