W3 Wine School

World Famous Grapes

Albariño (Spain)

Albariño

Albariño is Spain's most famous white wine grape.

The grape is native to Galicia on the north Atlantic coast.

Albariño Flavors

Lemon
Lemon
Lemon Zest
Lemon Zest
Grapefruit
Grapefruit
Peach
Peach
Jasmine
Jasmine
Herbs
Herbs
Minerals
Minerals

Grapefruit and Peach flavors with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and Salty Minerals are typical Albariño flavors.

Profile and Food Pairing ...

About Albariño

Albariño has small, sweet berries which produce high quality wines. It is the basic grape of Rías Baixas DO where there has been a dramatic increase in the planted area over the last few years.

Albariño is an aromatic grape with thick skin with high tollerance to the cold and humidity of maritime climates.

The main feature is its acidity which matches the Galician Seafood.

The terroir in Salnes D.O. Rias Baixas is granite rock "Xabre" and its Albariño has strong character, long finish, salty minerality and flowery notes.

The terroir in O Rosal D.O. Rias Baixas is shale mixed with granite. With the influence of Rio Miño and the Atlantic Ocean, its Albariño is soft in the mouth, fruity (apple, citrus) and tropical. Bread crust notes from the lees.

Albariño grows in Galicia in northwest Spain and in Minho in northwest Portugal as Alvarinho.

Wine Region Galicia

Galicia

Galicia is a located in north-west Spain.

It is best known for its crisp white wines Albariño and Godello.

Black Grapes

White Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mencía

Sauvignon

Albariño
Godello
Treixadura


Red Wines

White Wines

Red Wine

Ribeira Sacra

White Wine

Albariño
Godello
Treixadura


Soil

Climate

Soil

Alluvial
Granite
Schist
Slate

Soil

Hilly
Cool Clomate
Atlantic Ocean

Galicia DO Regions

Ribeira Sacra

There are 5 Denominación de Origen (DO) in Galicia:

Ribeiro DO (1932)

Ribeiro is the oldest DO in Galicia

White wines represent 95% of the wine produced in Ribeiro, and is most common is Treixadura.

Valedorras DO (1945)

Climate: Cold winters. Hot summers. Mild autumns and springs.

Rias Baixas DO (1988)

Rias Baixas DO (lower Rias), close to Portugal, is known to produce the best Albariño in the world.

In Portugal the same grape is called Alvarinho.

Monterrei DO (1994)

Monterrei has become a relevant wine region after of the wines were praised by wine critic Robert M. Parker in 2008.

Ribeira Sacra DO (1996)

Ribeira Sacra is best known for the dry red wine Ribeira Sacra from the Mencía grape.


Alcohol can be addictive. Always drink in moderation.

© Copyright 2015-2025 W3 Wine School. All Rights Reserved.