Albarino
Albariño, a green-skinned grape indigenous to Galicia, thrives in the cool climate of the Rías Baixas wine region in Spain, almost synonymous with pagoda-trained vineyards. It's also used in Portugal for crafting sparkling Vinho Verde, known as Alvarinho.
Globally, growers note varied morphology within Albariño vineyards, where berries may exhibit two seeds or, akin to Savagnin, a single seed in the same location.
Taste
Albariño wines, primarily dry with elevated acidity, feature prominent flavors of lemon, grapefruit, peach, and subtle beeswax notes. The thick skins of Albariño make production challenging but result in almond or citrus-pith bitterness from the skin's phenol content.
Other
The grape's adaptability to maritime microclimates contributes to the exceptional quality of Albariño wines. Increased interest in Spanish grape varieties has prompted cultivation in California's cooler regions, aligning with the shift from hybrids (that were weather resistant) to noble grape varieties in England due to climate changes.