Albariño
A high-acid Galician white with peach and citrus and a faint saline grip, and the grape behind Rías Baixas.
At a glance
- Peach
- High acidity
- Saline grip
Recognize it
High acidity in a light body, with peach, citrus, and a saline note. A faint grip on the finish is common. Lees-aged bottlings can feel broader.
Detail
Rías Baixas is Albariño's key Spanish region, with Val do Salnés among its coolest, most coastal subzones. In northern Portugal the same grape is called Alvarinho and is especially important in Monção e Melgaço. Thick skins can contribute noticeable phenolic texture, while lees aging can make the wine broader without removing its naturally fresh profile.
Similar grapes
Vermentino
Similar citrus and a saline edge.
Difference Vermentino is more herbal, fennel-driven, and slightly more bitter; Albariño is more stone-fruited and citrus-driven.
Riesling
Similar high acidity and a light body.
Difference Riesling leans toward lime and blossom and is usually lower in alcohol; Albariño is more saline.