Grape Variety Series 01 - Albarino

I have decided to add another series in this wineshark blog, and this time it will be focused on the grape variety. Some people say there are over 8000 varieties of vine, but among those not that many are used for winemaking. I have picked the most common and will write something about its characteristics, as well as including some typical wines and the tasting note to share. I will try to do in alphabetical order. So the first one we will look at is - Albarino (or Alvarinho in Portuguese).

Albarino is an aromatic grape, with characteristics of mineral, grapefruit and apple blossom. It is relatively light, often not having a good ripeness, particularly in Vinho Verde. It is a vine that is vigorous, requiring large canopy to allow for the vines to grow in the wet, humid climate in Portugal, one of its main producing country. Its thick skins help to protect the grapes from rot.

In Spain, this grape has been gaining popularity, with the size of vineyard increased eight times since Rias Baixas was awarded DO status in 1988. In fact it is Spain's most fashionable white grape variety, with consumption in Galicia alone about three times the production in the area.

Let me share with you one of the good Albarino I have tasted so far:

Wine: Pazo de Barrantes Albarino

Region / Country: Rias Baixas Spain

Vintage: 2008

Grape: 100% Albarino

ABV: 13%            

Price: HK$250

Tasting Date: 31 May 2011
Wineshark Score: 89

Light lemon color Albarino with an intense and youthful aromas of pear, grapefruit, lemon, white flowers, minerals, slightly peach and honey. High acidity though lively and refreshing, this wine is of light body with medium intensity flavors of floral, lemon, pear, lees, mineral (limestone), grapefruit and slightly honey. Overall an acceptable quality wine with reasonable length and complexity, showing a good and intense nose though not as strong in the palate. Ready to drink now and can be maintained for another 1-2 years.

Some Albarino that I have also tasted:

• Aires de Arosa, Albarino, Rias Baixas 2008
• Pazo de Barrantes, Albarino, Rias Baixas 2006
• Pazo de Barrantes, Albarino, Rias Baixas 2008
• Terra Firme, Albarino, Rias Baixas 2009
• Terras Gauda, Abadia de San Campio Albarino, Rias Baixas 2009