Albarino Wine for Delivery or Pickup

Most Albarino grapes are grown in Spain or Portugal. Each province has its own Albarino wine with unique flavors. Albarino was originally developed in the northwest of the Iberian peninsula. The name "Albarino" comes from the Spanish province of Galicia, while in the Portuguese province of Minho, it's referred to as "alvarinho."

Spain, with its complex network of microclimates, creates many distinct variations between vineyards. The grape's high quality and ability to grow within oceanic regions, paired with interest in Spanish wines increasing over the past decades, have seen this wine grape planted all over the world. Albarino is often seen in California's cooler area in places like the slopes of coastal mountains in San Luis Obispo County, where there are over 50 acres of vineyards devoted to Albarino grapes. Places like Oregon, Washington, and New Zealand have also introduced these wine grapes to their vineyards.

Vineyards train the vines to grow upon stone pergolas of locally gathered granite and ensure the vines are widely spaced. These vines are woven onto wire trellises held aloft by granite posts. The trellises can be up to 7ft tall, maximizing any breeze, providing the necessary circulation to prevent mildew, and allowing the grapes to ripen properly.

These grapes ripen in the fall, forming a ceiling of harvestable bunches. Vineyard workers stand atop grape bins and other stools to reach the vine suspended high above their heads. Some vineyards replace the traditional canopy with a double cordon system that keeps the vines lower to the soil, while it is not uncommon to see vines trained up the sides of trees in others. Yields for these grapes range from 3-5 tons an acre.

There are 2 main types of Albarino. These two types are distinct because of the regions in which they are grown. These are the two most common varieties of Albarino.

Rias Baixas has 5 distinct subregions across Spain, all with their unique flavors.

A committee tastes each wine produced in this region for quality assurance. Only wines that pass the strict tests can be labeled “Rias Baixas.” Ten different grapes are grown in Rias Baixas, and over 90% are Albarino. Common flavors from this region are grapefruit, apricot, honeysuckle, melon, and peach. Most Albarino wines from Rías Baixas are lightly yellowed in color, crisp, and refreshing.

Vinho Verde creates mildly carbonated dry white wines with alcohol contents between 8.5-11.5% ABV. Several locals have vineyards in this region and grow grapes for Vinho Verde wine. Thousands of growers here grow on small personal-sized plots. These small family-owned plots create a grape blend that is impossible to know precisely. The most common flavors in Vinho Verde Albarino are melon, lime, honeysuckle, grapefruit, lemon, and honeydew.

Albarino pairs well with leafy greens, cheeses, and seafood.

Seafood: Fish and seafood combine with Albarino wines to create a seaside explosion of flavor. Ceviche, seafood risotto, fried fish tacos, buttered mussels, oysters, and clams are great pairings with this fresh maritime wine.

Cheese: Burrata, manchego, gouda, brie, fresh mozzarella, and feta will bring out the flavors of the fresh, bright wine.

Vegetable: Albarino has impeccable pairings with fresh green herbs, like salsa verde, Caesar salad, grilled shishito peppers, or Caprese.