Albariño

I simply love the way Vines are found around the world with intrigue and speculation.  In reading up on the Albariño vine is a descendant of Caíño Blanco and the other parentage relationship is unconfirmed although DNA testing indicates that Albariño is very similar to Loureiro.  Here is where identifying parentage becomes even more interested (assuming you are interested in parentage), some theorist say that Albariño is a Riesling clone.  The origin of the name Albariño is “white wine from the Rhein (“alba” + “riño”), the Rhein River begins in Switzerland and flows into the delta south of Rotterdam.

Region

Albariño calls Galicia/Minho its home region.  Back in the time when Monks traveled, usually to advance their cause, some theorists say that the monks traveling from Germany by way of Camino de Santiago (Pilgrims’ Road) brought Albariño to Spain but DNA information does not support this theory.

Here is an interesting fact: in Australia “Albariño” is actually Savagnin, which has been proven conclusively via DNA evidence.

Pairing

When you are looking for a light tasty meal Albariño may be a great choice with these types of dishes; tuna and potato salad, crab cakes, jumbo shrimp salad, pickled vegetable-seafood salad chicken meatballs wrapped in lettuce (Vietnamese dish), cod and cockles, and steamed cockles in a scallion broth to name a few.  Inevitably when I write the parings section of my articles I get hungry no matter what time of day it is… good food and wine are simply any time of day after a good breakfast.  Hahaha.

Connoisseur Components

Albariño has a moderate plus intensity overall for aromas and flavors with; ripe citrus (orange, lemon, ruby red grapefruit), stone fruit (nectarine, apricot, peaches) green apples, melons.  Specifically for the aroma aspect you might catch a whiff of blossoms (apple and citrus) and/or flowers (yellow and white).

Here is where it gets fun there are some other aromas and flavors that have been used to describe Albariño, your challenge is to see if you can identify them also; a little beer yeast, saline, bubblegum, agave, and leesy.

How does Albariño look to you?  The professionals describe the visuals as pale straw with hints of green, moderate minus concentration, and slight residual gas (carbonic gas from fermentation).

Remembering Your Albariño Experience

A quick summary, memory hook for Albariño is that if you like Chardonnay but are a little bored of it you will appreciate the different characteristics of Albariño with a bit of familiarity.  Now to expand your horizons as a Connoisseur remember to taste Caíño Blanco to experience a bit of Albariño heritage then the Savagnin for a taste of Australia with no familial connection.  All the while thinking about the traveling monks from Germany and what their experiences might have been like.

Where to Go Next

Look to Chardonnay and challenge yourself to master the characteristics from the various producers of Chardonnay within the many regions it is grown.