Albariño & Galicia
Albariño is best known in Galicia, the Northwest corner of Spain. The region is referred to as “Green Spain” and might remind you more of Ireland than Spain. It’s fitting, as the area was inhabited by Celtic Tribes. You might hear bagpipes and Celtic crosses dot the landscape.
*This is the region where the El Camino del Santiago (the Way of Saint James) ends. This trek for pilgrims to visit the tomb of St. James has been used since the 9th century. Many now find it a journey of self-discovery. I have had a couple of friends walk the Camino which can take between 10 to 30 days, depending on your route and speed. Learn more here https://santiago-compostela.net/
Rías Baixas
Within this green, wet corner of Spain, you find Rías Baixas . “Rías Baixas ” means “lower Rías” in Galician. This coastal area encompasses 4 inlets and is rich in fishing and aquaculture. Wide beaches, beautiful vineyards, great seafood, and wine make this an idyllic destination.
The region is divided into 5 sub-regions. From North to South, they are:
- Ribeira do Ulla – This region sits in from the Atlantic coast along the Ulla River. Here, you find alluvial soils.
- Val do Salnés – located along the Atlantic coastline and the Ria de Arousa inlet, the region has a cool, damp climate (average temps are 55°. This place, regarded as the birthplace of Albariño, is where you will find most of the wineries. Soils are rocky with alluvial topsoil.
- Soutomaior – in the center of the Rías Baixas region, sits in the hills and the inland end of the Rías de Vigo. This small sub-zome has sandy soils over granite.
- O Rosal—The Miño River separates Galicia, Spain, from Portugal, and O Rosal sits on the North side of the river, running out to the Atlantic Coast. The soils here are alluvial, as you would expect near the river, with granite underneath.
- Condado do Tea—This region’s name means “The County of Tea,” named after the Tea River that runs through it. We are inland of O Rosal, still along the Miño River. The area is mountainous with sedimentary, granite, and slate soils. It is further inland and warmer and drier than O Rosal.
Albariño – History and growing techniques
90% of the wine coming out of Rias Baixas is Albariño, and the grape is thought to have originated in the area. While it has been proven to be indigenous to Spain, there were legends saying that monks brought Riesling or Petit Manseng from Burgundy to this region of Spain in the 12th or 13th centuries. It does resemble Riesling in its minerality.
This grape is very good at thriving in this moist environment, but to up the odds of success, the vines here are trained on pergolas. The pergolas are hewn from granite (which makes sense because the wood would rot in the moisture). The pergolas keep the grapes off the ground, protecting them from the sun and providing excellent airflow. These pergolas can be up to 7 feet tall, so the breezes pass through, keeping down mildew and allowing for even ripening. Harvest is by hand into 40 lb bins; yields here are low, between 3 and 5 tons per acre.
For much more on Albariño and the region visit the Rias Baixas website at https://www.riasbaixaswines.com/
Flavors and Pairings for Albariño
Flavors and Aromas
Albariño is known for having notes of citrus and mineral. Think of lime, tangerine, grapefruit, orange, herbs, wet stone, salt spray, sometimes stone fruit like apricot or peach.
Pairings
Albariño pairs well with sea food, the notes of mineral and salt spray lend to foods of the sea. Tie the citrus notes in with citrus dressings or sauces, or tangy cheeses like feta or goat cheese.
More from Crushed Grape Chronicles on Albarino
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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