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Our Guide to Albarino Wine & Our Top 9 Picks Under $30
- Last Updated - 3/29/23
When you consider Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, it’s easy to think of a plethora of delectable seafood dishes:
- Paella from Valencia
- Portuguese cod fish
- Octopus from Galacia
- Grilled sardines from Lisbon
- Clams from Asturias
- Ceviche
Albariño is one of the best wines to pair with seafood! And it’s deliciously paired with just about everything seafood!
This white wine is made from the Albariño grape and is grown mainly in Spain and Portugal. These wines are light, refreshing, and perfect for summertime sipping.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything there is to know about Albarino and give you our Top 9 picks for Albarino wines under $30!
Table of Contents
What is Albariño?
Albariño (“ahl-bah-ree-nyoh”) is a white Spanish wine grape variety. The Albariño vines and grapes are native to Galicia in northwest Spain and Portugal’s Vinho Verde region. In Portugal, it is called Alvarinho. And the grapes are known to be small with thick skins.
Albariño wines are known for their light-body with high acidity. They have aromas of white flowers and clean flavors of stone fruits, citrus, melons, salt, and minerals.
The grape is believed to have originated in the Iberian Peninsula and was brought to Galicia by French monks in the 12th century. It wasn’t until the 1980s that these wines started to gain popularity outside of Galicia. And today, Albariño is one of Spain’s most popular white wine grapes!
What are the Best Albarino Wine Regions?
There are two (2) primary Albariño wine regions: Rías Baixas and Vinho Verde.
- Rías Baixas (“rhee-yus by-shus”) is the main Albariño region for Albarino wines and is located in Galicia, northwest Spain. The climate here is cool and wet with a maritime influence of the Atlantic ocean. This results in high-acid, fresh, and balanced white wines with notes of citrus, stone fruits, and saline minerality.
- Vinho Verde (“veen-yo vaird”) directly translates as “Green Wine” in Spanish, but in Portuguese “verde” means young and vibrant wine. It is the only Alvarinho wine region in Portugal. It’s located in the northwest part of the country. The climate here is cool and wet with a maritime influence. This results in wines that are fresh, light-bodied, and lower in alcohol with notes of citrus, melons, florals, and minerals and a slight effervescence.
WineO Tip: “Verde” is not pronounced “Ver-day.” The proper pronunciation is “Veen-yo Vaird,” with only one one syllable on the Verde.
What Does Albariño Wine Taste Like?
For Albariño tasting notes expect freshness and a dry tart taste. There are aromas of citrus fruits, stone fruits, grapefruit, honeysuckle, hint of lemon/orange zest, salt, and minerals.
Albariño taste has a mouth-watering acidity and a salty, slight effervescent that finishes with a subtle bitter note aftertaste.
The vast majority of white wines produced in Vinho Verde have floral and fruity aromas of lime, grapefruit, lemon, and melon. And although these white wines are not classified as sparkling, they do have a touch of fizz to them.
Top 9 Favorite Albarino Wines Under 30
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Fantastic Albariño from Spain! Straw, light golden yellow color with hints of green. It is very elegant with flavors of pear, green apple, florals, and honey. There is excellent acidity with a long mineral finish and a hint of grapefruit aftertaste. Great pick for any hot day!
A fruit-forward style of Albariño, this has aromas of citrus, grapefruit, dried pineapple, and honey. And it has a beautiful crisp and mineral finish.
This beautiful, organically produced Albarino has floral aromas with notes of stone fruit, green apple, citrus, and a salty finish. This wine’s light body and zippy acidity make it perfect for a hot summer day.
Pale gold color with a hint of green. Powerful aromas of lemon, lime, minerals, and floral notes with excellent intensity. Crisp, clean and fresh with a well balanced acidity. There are juicy flavors of green apple, peach, citrus, and hint of salinity.
This wine has a bright, yellow color with lots of fresh fruit flavors of peach, citrus, and tropical fruits. This wine is characterized by a lovely fresh scent that ends with a minerality, which demonstrates the Alvarinho variety’s complexity.
Good acidity with citrus, lime, tropical, and apple notes. There is a nice spice to it with a saline minerality and floral finish.
A very good Vinho Verde blend with aromas of lemon zest, apricot, minerals, and honey.
Intense citrus aromas and tropical fruit flavors. There is also a flavors of apple, pear, pineapple, and lime. At the finish there is a minerality and a slight grapefruit bitterness.
Pale yellow color with aromas of grapefruit, white peaches and white flowers. On the palate this wine is light with a fresh acidity and incredibly smooth. There are mineral notes with flavors of lemon zest, pineapple, and a hint of salt.
FAQs
What is Albariño wine like?
It is a dry white wine that is light, refreshing, and perfect for summertime sipping. And Albariño pairs well with all types of seafood!
Is Albariño similar to Sauvignon Blanc?
Yes and No.
Albariño is comparable to Sauvignon Blanc since they are both dry white wines with refreshing qualities, high acidity, and similar citrusy and white fruit aromas. Albarino has a salinity and mineral flavor, similar to Sancerre.
They are different because Sauvignon Blanc wines are usually quite dry, but Albarino tends to be even drier. Sauvignon Blanc is grown in many areas of the world, whereas Albarino is typically produced in Spain and Portugal.
That being said I would say if you like Sauvignon Blanc, chances are you’ll also enjoy Albariño.
Are Albariño wines sweet?
No, Albarino wines are not sweet. In fact, they are quite dry with a tart taste and high acidity.
What kind of grape is Albariño?
Albariño is not a French grape. It is a white grape that is indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula that is generally cultivated in Portugal and Spain.
Should Albariño wine be chilled?
Yes, it should be chilled before serving. Serve at 45–50°F. Lighter wines should usually be served colder to preserve their acidity and freshness. We recommend chilling for 45-60 minutes in the fridge or about 20 minutes in an ice bucket.
What does Albariño pair with?
Any and all seafood. From fish tacos to ceviche to grilled salmon, this is always a good choice!
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