Getting to Know Albarino Wine

Getting to know Albarino Wine

Albarino (alba-reen-yo) is a light-bodied yet high quality white grape that originated in Northwest Spain (Galicia). Today it is mainly grown in Spain and Portugal.

The Albarino grape produces extremely mouth-watering fruit-forward wine with high acid. As a result it is very aromatic and has a higher level of terpenes and thoils. Thoils are found in cooler climate growing regions and provide an intense melon or ruby red grapefruit aroma. The nose has aromas of lemons, limes, pear, grapefruit, honeysuckle, nectarine, occasionally orange zest, beeswax, wet gravel and Thai basil.

Where to Find the Albarino Grape

Well known regions for Albarino include Rias Baixas, (Spain) and Minho (Portugal). We’re starting to see a lot more Albarino grown on the Central Coast in California since the varietal is well-suited for maritime climates and is always planted near the ocean. (Watch for Albarino’s coming out of Southern Oregon and Washington State.)

Rías Baixas, Spain is known as the capital of Albariño production where 90% of the vineyards are Albarino grapes. In Minho, Portugal the “Alvarinho” is used to make Vinho Verde (slightly green-tinted spitzy white wine).

Albarnio should be consumed within about one year after the harvest but does have a shelf-life of two-years. I personally would not hold on to this wine – consume it when purchased as it does not typically process well in the bottle and can fall apart and taste stale. However, there are some wineries producing Albarino with great aging potential. So, it can and does happen, it’s just not the norm.

The wine should be consumed out of a white wine glass and served cold. The average cost of a bottle of Albarnio is about $20.

Albarino Wine Food Pairings

Albarino is a crowd-pleasing wine. On the palate, the wine can support a wide variety of food textures. The high acidic nature and slight bitterness react more like a palate cleanser. It does pair well with aromatic herbs and lighter style dishes. The best food to pair with Albarnio is seafood.

Albarino wines pairs best with flaky whitefish, Monkfish, Cod, Salmon, Chicken, Melon Fruit Salad, Oysters, Clams, Trout Dip, Butter Drenched Lobster, Butter Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Thai, Indian and Caribbean food.

When is the Right Mood for Albarnio Wine?

BFF Happy Hour, Asian Themed Party, Book Club, Porch or Patio Wine, Bubble Baths, Mommies day Out, Vemour Sweat Suit, Onesie, After the Kids Have Gone to Bed.

Carpe Travel collaborated with Maia Parish to compile the grape varietal overviews. Maia Parish is an award-winning events producer, sommelier, wine judge, and media consultant. She lives in Denver, Colorado and likes to eat copious amounts of food. You can find her here www.linktr.ee/thewinemistress.

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