Spanish Grapes

Albillo (Spain)

Albillo is a white wine grape primarily planted in the Ribera del Duero region, but also in Madrid, Ávila and Galicia. In 2019 Albillo Mayor became the first white grape to be approved for DO wines in Ribera del Duero. The vines are typically 50-years-old or even older, including some pre-phylloxera vineyards.

Albillo Flavors

Citrus, Apple, and Pineapple are typical Albillo flavors, with hints of Valencia Roses.

Lemon

Apple

Pineapple

Roses

Albillo Profile

Albillo wines are dry, clear, with a crispy acidity:

SUGAR:	Dry 3g/l

BODY:	Medium - Light

FRUIT:	Medium - Light

ACIDITY:	Medium - High

ALCOHOL:	12.5-13.5%

	Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F)

Albillo Food Pairing

Albillo is an easy-drinking wine with moderate acidity.

It pairs best with rich white fish and seafood, especially with lemon-heavy flavors.

Salads

Vinegar

Garlic

Salmon

Seafood

Lobster

Fish

Chicken

Excellent Pairings

Salads with Lemon Vinaigrette.
Garlic Prawns. Soups.
Seafood. Crab. Lobster.
White Fish. Lemon Butter Sauce.
Cured Ham. Smoked Salmon.
Roasted Chicken. Grilled Chicken Breasts.

Cheeses

Savory Cheeses.
Manchego. Asiago. Beaufort. Cantal. Cheddar. Comté.

Spanish Specialities

Seafood Paella.
Quiche.
Scallops.
Jumbo Salad.
Claypot Rice with Fish.
Ginger Roasted Salmon.
Grilled Sardines in Green Pepper.

The Ideal Glass for Albillo

A Tulip Shaped Glass with a slightly smaller bowl can be suitable for various dry white wine styles.

It guides the wine to the center of your mouth, avoiding the sides where acidity is less pleasant.

A smaller bowl also helps to serve smaller quantities, and keep the wine cold. It also helps if you hold the glass by the stem!

Albillo Cheese Pairing

Brie

Camembert

Chèvre

Feta

Fondue

Fontina

Gruyère

Manchego

Mató

Mozzarella

Ricotta

Serra Estrela

Pairing Tips

Add accompaniments like fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing. Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the Albillo's lightness.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Albillo.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Albillo.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Hard Cheeses

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Gorgonzola Dolce: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Albillo

Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero (Banks of Duero) is one of Spain's top red wine regions.

The region attracts wine-lovers from around the globe with red Ribera del Duero wines made from the Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grape. A small amount of rosado wine is also made in the region.

The vineyards flank the Duero River and stretch up to limestone cliffs that rise between 700 and 1,000 meters above sea level.

Some producers successfully blend in Bordeaux varieties.

In 1864, Eloy Lecanda y Chaves, a Bordeaux-trained Spanish winemaker, established Vega Sicilia east of Valladolid. He planted his vineyards with Tinto Fino (Temranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, and started to create wine blends with significant commercial success.

Vega Sicilia is one of Spain's most notable producers.

Appellation Rules

DO wines must contain minimum 75% Tempranillo (most are made with 100 percent).

Blends may contain maximun 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec.

Name	Aging
Cosecha	No aging spesification
Crianza	Min 24 months. Min 12 months in Barrel
Reserva	Min 36 months. Min 12 months in Barrel
Grand ReservaCrianza	Min 48 months. Min 24 months in Barrel

Rosé wines can undergo traditional aging similar to red wines, and can be aged to crianza, reserva, and gran reserva, as well as the non-aging cosecha classification.

Black Grapes	White Grapes
90% Tino Finto 4% Cabernet Sauvignon 2% Merlot	1% Albillo
Soil	Climate
Sand / Silt / Clay Topsoil. Over alternating layers of Limestone, Marl or Chalk. Vineyard area: 22 000 hectares.	Hot and Dry Continental. 2,400 hours Sunshine. Low Rainfall. Spring Frost. High Diurnal Temperature Range. Altitudes: 750 - 1000 m Temperatures: –20° to +40°C