Varietal: Â Albarino
Region:Â RÃas Baixas, Spain
Cost: Â $15 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Â Delicated and medium-bodied with a crisp, dry finish. Flavors of ripe apple, peach, pear, and lemon zest are framed by bright minerality and hints of spice. This Albarino displays intense floral aromas and an attractive acidity, making it a versatile, food-friendly wine. Pair with seasonsal shellfish and other seafood.
My Review: Â My first real exposure to Albarino was several years ago at a tasting of Virginia Wines and my first thought was how much it reminded me of Virginia Viognier, and how much I liked that. Spanish wines were a big focus for me for a few years, though admittedly I focused on the reds, so I was happy to jump at the chance to try a new vintage of Albarino from Martin Codax when offered the opportunity.
In the glass the wine was a light yellow color, and on the nose I picked up floral and citrus notes. In the mouth the wine was crisp and dry, with lemon zest and minerality being the two most forward notes to my palate. We paired the wine with a dinner of grilled shrimp from our Blue Apron shipment, and it definitely worked well with the flavors of the seasfood.
I have enjoyed Albarino in the past for many of the same reasons I’ve enjoyed Viognier – in most cases I find it to be a versatile white that can work with several different food pairings or just by itself. The 2012 Martin Codax Albarino is no exception to that – it’s certainly a good pairing with most lighter seafood pairings (I’d avoid heaver fish like salmon), but has enough character and flavor to be sipped by itself while sitting outside, all for a very reasonable price point.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
