Rias Baixas Albarino Grand Tasting

Photo by Iñaki Vinaixa
New wine drinkers many not know about Albarino wines, so here's a short study. It's said but not proven that the Albarino grape was brought to Spain in the form of Riesling cuttings during the middle ages by German monks on pilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago. It's the finest variety grown in the Rias Baixas of the Galicia region in northwest Spain. The Albarino and Riesling grape share minerality as one of their similarities.

Last week I got the chance to sample a dozen or so of this crisp, zesty white wine at Zengo restaurant on 3rd Ave and 40th Street.

Laxas Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Condado do Tea
Floral aromas with flavors of melon, nutty, pears, apricot, fresh with a luscious finish.

Adega Condes de Albarei Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Muted aromas, fresh flavors, citrus, 7-up
Tasted with mixed seafood ceviche

Salneval Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Muted aromas with stronger mineral flavors, pineapple, kiwi, banana, lychee, canned peaches

Adegas D’Altamira Brandal Albarino 2008
Creamy typical floral notes, peach, orange citrus, mango, marzipan, ripe apple, melon, lime, minerality, nice finish

Bodegas Y Vinedos Don Olegario Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
90 Pts Wine Advocate
“4th best wine in the world” WSJ
Intensely fragrant aromas of ripe honeydew melon, tasty pineapple with grapefruit and lychee, crisp and very smooth finish

Bodegas Mar de Frades Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Fresh ocean air, melon, balanced beautifully, clean, explodes on palate, fragrant flavors, smooth long finish. Very nice!

Bodegas Marques de Vizhoja Torre La Moreira Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Condado do Tea
Mineral aromas with bouquet of honeysuckle, apple, papaya with hints of chalk dust

Bodegas Martin Codax Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Mineral, spirited, even toned, mild, citrus, hot tropical

Burgans Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Attractive mineral aromas, green peppers, more tropical fruits, ripeness key, apple cream pie

Adegas Martinez Serantes Alba Rosa Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Mineral aromas, floral, citrus flavors, yellow apple, ripe banana, pineapple, white pepper, nice

Pazo de Senorans Albarinos 2009
Sub-zone: Salnes Valley
Floral aromas, citrus, grapefruitr, apricot, lemon rind

Santiago Ruiz Albarino 2009
Sub-zone: O Rosal
My clear favorite of the day, is this blend of 70% Albarino, 20% Loureiro, 10% Treixadura, and 5% Caino Blanco and Godello. Sweet floral aromas with white peaches, grapefruit, apricot, kiwi, lychee, some apple and fresh herbs, while showing good structure and a balanced acidity.