Wine Class: Albariño

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of teaching a class on Albariño and the Rias Biaxas region of Spain. There were lots of laughs and lots of amazing wine shared amongst new friends. While Albariño is an amazing grape and delicious pour, here are some other fun facts about it:

1. Albariño is the rare spanish wine that is known and referenced by the grape rather than the region.

2. Albariño has an interesting flavor profile, not as juicy as chardonnay, not minerally like riesling, or floral like sauvignon blanc. It typically ranges from citrus-peach to almond-honeysuckle.

3. Albariños are very light and zesty on the palate because almost none are fermented or aged in wood.

4. Originally from Portugal, where it is still grown and called Alvarinho. It is also used to create the “vinho verde” varietal.

5. Low yield and difficult to grow, Albariño is one of the most expensive grapes in Spain, however, the cost of the wine is not reflective of this!

6. There are no superior red wine grapes grown in Rias Biaxas!