A favorite Spanish white

Looking for a great seafood wine? I know a lot of folks that default to a reliable Pinot Grigio when a “dry white” is called for. Not that there isn’t a place for Pinot Grigio, but there are loads of interesting whites out there to experiment with. Just the other night, we had this Albarino from Burgans in the Rias Baixas region of Spain and it was the perfect accent to our sautéed shrimp, orzo and wilted spinach dinner. Albarino is grown in the cool maritime climate along the northwestern coast of Spain and parts of Portugal. Because of the dampness, Albarino vines are trained into tall and open habits rather than the more typical low, horizontal vineyards in an effort to prevent mold.

The wine itself is a beautiful pale golden color with a lilting aroma of limestone underlying lemon zest and peaches. Just a hint of saltiness drifts out of the glass – or maybe that’s just my overactive imagination. My feeling is that the reason this wine works so well with seafood is that it has a full flavor but finishes bright and citrusy. Perfect for balancing buttery shellfish. There is just the slightest hint of effervescence, which helps contribute to the brightness. Citrusy flavors blend with a touch of honey at each sip, then the high acidity of this grape chimes in with a refreshing tartness. The balance makes this wine both great with food and great on its own. So next time you’re in the mood to try something new think about reaching for this gem in the Spanish section.

Stats:

Grape varietal: Albarino
Winery: Burgans
Origin: Spain (Rias Baixas)
Vintage: 2009
Price: $15.99