Albariño Wine 101 - Everything you need to know - WinePros (2023)

What is Albarinho?

Albariño (or Alvarinho) is a thick-skinned green grape native to Galicia on the Atlantic coast of northern Spain. Best known as the main variety of Rias Baixas wines, Albariño is also produced in Portugal as a green sparkling wine. Known locally as Alvarinho, it is named as a variety to distinguish it from many Loureiro-based vinho verde.

In Spain, Albariño plantations account for more than 90% of the total plantations in the Rías Baixas. The complex mini-climate of this wine region results in diverse sub-regions and variations between vineyards and vintages.

Outside of the Iberian Peninsula, albariño is grown in the United States in some of the coldest areas of California, where the climate is similar to that of the Rias Baixas. Los Carneros, San Luis Obispo County, Napa County, and Santa Ynez Valley have several albariño plantations. Some wineries in Washington and Oregon also have Albariño vines. New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom have also planted albariño with relative success.

The characteristics of Albariño emphasize the crispness and freshness of the flavors. The variety features high acidity and a fine texture with citrus, stone fruit and mineral elements that combine phenomenally with Spanish and Mediterranean seafood dishes. Additionally, Albariño can be oak aged or aged on the lees for a delicious style and creamy, oily flavor.

What color is the Albariño?

Albariño is a thick-skinned white grape variety with medium-sized clusters that are yellowish-green in color. It belongs to the Eurasian grape variety 'Vitis vinifera'. In fact, almost all grapes used in winemaking are members of the Vitis vinifera grape family. Before "véraison" or berry ripeness, the grapes feel hard and thick. When the "véraison" occurs, the skin of the grape changes tone, with the color of the albariño becoming translucent and golden, like most white grape varieties.

Between the "véraison" and the harvest, the grapes swell and fill with water. During maturation, the sugar content increases and the acidity decreases. Color pigments and flavor components accumulate. Warm, sunny conditions are ideal, while moderate water stress (drought) inhibits soot growth and stimulates grape ripening. Then the Albariño shows a variety of hues ranging from light green to golden yellow with intense red pigments as the variety matures.

What does Albariño mean?

Albariño in Galician and Alvarinho in Portuguese derives from "albo" and "albus" meaning white, off-white, an indication that Albariño is a white grape variety.

How do you pronounce Albarinho?

Albariño pronunciation can be challenging for non-native speakers. But if you want to break into wine-tasting circles and earn the respect of the wine community, you need to learn how to properly pronounce the grape. There are many useful audio and video examples on how to pronounce albariño online, so check them out. The word consists of four syllables, with the third syllable being stressed. Phonetically, Albariño looks like this:

ahl-bah-ree-nyoh

Where does the Albariño come from?

Albariño is native to the Rias Baixas of Spain, located in the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Rias Baixas has a temperate and humid climate. Because of the humid conditions, vine diseases such as powdery mildew and rot are a common problem. That is why the Albariño is grown there, whose bark is thick and able to resist mold and rot. Albariño vines are grown on pergolas to also encourage air circulation.

The grape is also grown in neighboring Portugal, where it typically produces green sparkling wine. Albariño is referred to as the grape used in Vinho Verde to differentiate it from the usual Loureiro-based Vinho Verde blend. In Portugal the variety is called Alvarinho. A curiosity: Albariño wines were the first in Portugal to be recognized and labeled with their varietal name. In Portugal, Alvarinho is intended for immediate consumption.

However, the Albariño is not only grown on the Iberian Peninsula. The strain has found a home in many parts of the world. In the United States, the Albariño is grown in the cooler areas of California, which climatically resemble northern Spain, where the Albariño thrives. The vineyards are located on hillsides overlooking the Coast Mountains in San Luis Obispo County. Other California areas where albariño is grown include Santa Ynez Valley, Napa County, and Los Carneros. In addition, there are wineries that grow albariño, including in Washington and Oregon.

Interestingly, the Albariño is also grown in the UK. Climate change is allowing British vintners to move away from weatherproof hybrids in favor of noble varieties. The Albariño grape is looking promising and could have its share alongside Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for the production of sparkling wines in the future.

Albariño is also grown in New Zealand in the Gisborne, Nelson and Marlborough wine regions. However, very few, if any, wineries produce albariño in large quantities today. Albariño is also produced in Australia. The reason for this is that Australia has similar temperature conditions as Spain and Portugal. Albariño plantations thrive in Tasmania, where the cool climate produces excellent quality white wines. However, in the warmer Riverland region of South Australia, heavy, rich Albariño wines are the norm.

What kind of wine is Albariño?

Albariño is a fruity, acidic and refreshing white wine that is versatile and ideal for fish dishes and festive occasions. Albariño is fantastic as a poolside drink on a hot summer day or at a picnic. In fact, it's so easy to eat that wine lovers can even enjoy it in small amounts for breakfast. It's really unpretentious and tastes great when served chilled. Stock up on some Albariño wines in your fridge. When guests arrive, open them for instant enjoyment.

Is Albariño dry or sweet?

Albariño is mostly dry. However, there are also examples of dry Albariño wines. For example, in Portugal, the grape produces vinho verde, which is essentially a semi-sweet sparkling wine. As with all wines, it is difficult to define albariño in a black and white profile as many factors can contribute to a wine's ultimate character. The skill and experience of the winemaker, the location of the vineyards and the climate can drastically affect the taste of the wine.

What does Albariño taste like?

Albariño tasting notes highlight the wine's high acidity, freshness and subtle fruitiness. The aroma of Albariño is sweet but crunchy, with hints of lime, grapefruit and nectarine. Soft notes of beeswax, melon and honeysuckle are also present on the nose. On the palate, the Albariño taste shows a delicious acidity and intense stone fruit aromas. Peach, apricot and a hint of lemon zest define the palate. The finish is short, fruity with nutty elements. Consequently, the Albariño's flavor profile is invigorating with enough depth to awaken the taste buds.

When you sip an albariño with oak, expect a rich, luscious texture with ripe tropical flavors, medium acidity, and a creamy mineral finish with hints of kerosene. If stirring the yeast was part of the fermentation process, brioche bread and buttery notes are present on the wine's palate.

How do you serve Alvarinho?

Albariño is best served chilled. The citrus and stone fruit flavors are even spicier when the wine is chilled. The perfect serving temperature for Albariño is 3-7°C (38-45°F), like a sparkling wine. In this way, their aromas are intensified.

Serve albariño in medium-sized white wine glasses, too. There is absolutely no need for expensive glass products. Decanting should be avoided entirely, as it will not help the albariño release additional aromas and flavors.

But to fully enjoy the Albariño, it must be kept cool while serving. Use an ice bucket or wine cooler for this. The bucket should be filled 3/4 full with equal parts ice and water so that the cold water surrounds the bottle. Then the water can transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. The air acts as an insulator and the bottle cools down. Be careful, however, because if you chill a wine too much, you risk reducing the intensity of its aromas.

Can Albariño grow old?

Longer storage is not suitable for Albariño, as the wine must be drunk young, within a year of the date of bottling. However, there are some examples of bottle-aged or even barrel-fermented albariño available on the market. Therefore, it does not harm the wine to let it mature for a maximum of three years if it is stored in a dark cellar with constant temperatures and some humidity. A bottle-aged Albariño develops notes of dried apricots, jam, petroleum, ginger, hay and kerosene, among others.

How long should the Albariño breathe?

Most Albariño wines are light and therefore decanting them is not very beneficial. In general, white wines do not require aeration. A simple twist of the glass is enough to allow air and oxygen to come into contact with the surface of the wine, enhancing flavor and aroma. However, a nice decanter will bring out the beautiful straw yellow appearance of Albariño.

What food goes well with Albariño?

Pairing food with albariño is easy. Simply drink the wine with seafood and Mediterranean delicacies. White fish such as sea bass, cod, haddock and pollock are recommended options to accompany the wine. Try Albariño with Peruvian ceviche, Italian seafood risotto, oysters, fishTacos, steamed clams and mussels.

Also, the wine is fantastic with fresh herbs like parsley, dill and basil. And the wine's leafy notes pair beautifully with vegetable dishes. A hearty Caprese or Caesar salad, grilled vegetables, and even grilled Padrón Spanish peppers are ideal dishes served with a chilled glass of Albariño.

Pairing with Albariño cheese

Albariño goes well with soft and semi-hard cow and sheep cheese. Try it with burrata, manchego, feta, gouda, mozzarella and taleggio. The cheese can be served on a cheeseboard with crackers and jam, or it can be part of a pasta or pizza dish. However, try the wine together with Galician cheeses such as Arzua Ulloa, Aged Tetilla, Cebreiro or San Simón da Costa. Finally, Mahón, Zamorano, and Roncal are also great cheese options to serve with Albariño.

How much alcohol does Albariño have?

Albariño is light and fruity and therefore low in alcohol. The alcohol content of Albariño is between 11.5 and 12.5% ​​vol. This is the typical amount of alcohol concentration for a dry non-oak white wine. However, there are examples of Albariño where alcohol levels can reach as high as 13.9% ABV. These are mostly oak wines that have also matured extensively on the yeast. Check the bottle label for accuracy and remember to drink wine responsibly.

How many calories does Albariño have?

Wine calories are high because of alcohol and residual sugar. But because Albariño is dry, with no hint of sugar, calories are low, making the wine a safe dietary choice. Carbohydrates in albariño range from 1 to 4 per cup, while calories range from 101 to 119 per serving. Therefore, Albariño wines are excellent for everyday consumption at lunch or dinner.

Diploma

Albariño is a fantastic alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, albeit not as progressive. With aromas of ripe stone fruit and honeysuckle and citrus flavors, Albariño is a delicious Spanish wine. Sample wine with fish dishes inspired by local Galician cuisine. After all, gastronomy and wine belong together in a region. And why not do yourself a favor and visit Galicia? Albariño is the perfect wine to appreciate the beauty of landscapes still caught in time.