World Famous Grapes
Albariño (Spain)
Albariño is Spain's most famous white wine grape.
The grape is native to Galicia on the north Atlantic coast.
Albariño Flavors
 Lemon |
 Lemon Zest |
 Grapefruit |
 Peach |
 Jasmine |
 Herbs |
 Minerals |
Grapefruit and Peach flavors with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and Salty Minerals are typical Albariño flavors.
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 is a located in north-west Spain.
It is best known for its crisp white wines Albariño and Godello.
Black Grapes
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White Grapes
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Mencía |
Albariño Godello Treixadura |
Red Wines
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White Wines
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Ribeira Sacra |
Albariño Godello Treixadura |
Soil
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Climate |
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Alluvial Granite Schist Slate |
Hilly Cool Climate Atlantic Ocean |
Galicia DO Regions
Galicia has 5 Denominación de Origen:
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.
Ribeira Sacra (DO 1996)
Ribeira Sacra is best known for the dry red wine Ribeira Sacra from the Mencía grape.
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.
Monterrei (DO 1994)
Monterrei has become a relevant wine region after of the wines were praised by wine critic Robert M. Parker in 2008.
Valdeorras (DO 1945)
Valdeorras is a historic Galician wine region.
Located along the Sil River valley, it is famous for its native Godello white and Mencía red wines, which thrive in a unique microclimate and mineral-rich slate soils.
Godello is the undisputed star of the region. Nearly extinct fifty years ago, it was successfully rescued and now produces elegant, crisp white wines with notes of stone fruit, minerality, and vibrant acidity.
Mencía is the flagship red grape, yielding medium-bodied wines with red berry aromas, fresh acidity, and subtle earthy or floral undertones.
Geography & Climate
Location: Spanning 1,000 hectares in the northeastern part of the Ourense province, acting as the "Gateway to Galicia".
Soil: Vineyards sit primarily on steep, terraced slopes rich in slate, granite, and quartzite.
Climate: Transitional Mediterranean-Atlantic. It is Galicia's most inland sub-region, featuring warmer summers, cold winters, and high sun exposure that optimally ripens the grapes.