Albariño
Albariño (Galician: [alβaˈɾiɲo]; Portuguese: *Alvarinho*) is a white grape variety native to north-western Iberia, cultivated mainly in Galicia (Spain) and northern Portugal. It is recognised for producing aromatic wines with marked acidity and is considered one of the most distinctive grapes of the Atlantic wine regions of the Iberian Peninsula.[1]
Background
Albariño is thought to have ancient origins in Galicia, where it is closely associated with the Rías Baixas Denominación de Origen (DO).[2] In Portugal, under the name Alvarinho, it is most notably cultivated in the subregions of Monção and Melgaço within the Vinho Verde DOC. The grape has adapted to the humid, maritime climate of the Atlantic coast, where high rainfall and moderate temperatures influence its viticulture.[3]
Characteristics
Albariño berries are small and thick-skinned, a trait that helps protect against fungal diseases in the damp conditions of north-west Iberia.[4] The wines are typically pale in colour with high natural acidity. Aromas often include citrus fruits, peach, and floral notes, sometimes with a slight saline or mineral quality reflecting the coastal terroir.[5] Alcohol levels are moderate, and the wines are generally intended to be consumed young, although some examples from low-yielding vineyards can develop complexity with bottle age.
Use in winemaking
Albariño is overwhelmingly vinified as a varietal wine, particularly in Rías Baixas and Monção e Melgaço, where it defines the regional style.[6] It is usually fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness, though some producers experiment with oak maturation or lees contact to enhance texture and depth. In blends, it can contribute acidity and aromatic lift, but its reputation rests primarily on varietal bottlings that highlight its distinctive profile.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Consejo Regulador DO Rías Baixas, “Rías Baixas Albariño”, do-riasbaixas.com.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.