We have written a lot about Albariño and since Spring is here and Summer is just weeks away we are back again. This Spanish white wine, vino blanco, is wonderful all year round but we especially love it in the warmer months.
It is very food friendly, pairs well with everything from a full bodied fish stew to sushi. It is also very comfortable with Indian, Thai, Mexican or as we enjoyed this Albarino, Lolo, with Brazilian at Samba, Montclair.
This is one of those wines where the grape and the wine bear the same name, unlike Rueda from Spain which is a region and made with Verdejo, Viura, Sauvignon Blanc or Rioja that is made with grapes called Tempranillo as well as Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, and Mazuelo.
Produced by Rosalie de Castro Vineyard which is probably named after the beloved Galician romanticist writer and poet.
This wine, which is very romantic and poetic, is from the beautiful coastal region of northwestern Spain called Galicia, and specifically Rías Baixas the most important Denomination of Origin (DO) of this area.
"Albariño produces a crisp, aromatic and zesty wine with characteristics varying from subzone to subzone – more “melony” qualities from Val do Salnés, peachier and softer notes from O Rosal and earthier styles from Condado do Tea." Riasbaixaswines.com
This bottle had a gentle effervescence on opening which settled down as we dined. There is peach and apricot flavors with great lively body and a touch of almond.
The grape has quite a history, they say it came to Iberia by way of Cluny monks way back in the twelfth century. Those monks did like their wine, and beer.
The name "Alba-Riño" means "the white from the Rhine" and is considered to be a Riesling clone originally from the Alsace region of France. Who knows for sure. I do know that it is a very good wine.
Besides drinking it well chilled or on the rocks with a spritz of seltzer, we love to use Albarino for White Sangria.
Check out the Albarino Explorers Club
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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