by Stefanie Schwalb, GREGORY + VINE
As the pure choice in white wine, Albariño from the Denomination of Origin (DO) Rías Baixas is celebrated worldwide for its signature qualities – vibrant acidity, fresh fruit-forward aromatics and a versatile ability to pair with a wide range of foods. What wine lovers and Albariño enthusiasts may not know is its spectrum of styles, including sparkling examples, and the new winemaking techniques being implemented throughout Rías Baixas and its sub-regions. While Rías Baixas Albariño is often bottled and consumed young, this world-class variety continues to evolve in surprising ways, including barrel fermentation and aging; extended contact with the lees; wild yeast; and more.
Located in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain, Rías Baixas is considered the birthplace of Albariño (its flagship variety) and features vineyards planted along the inlets of the Atlantic coast. It shares the same mineral-rich soils and cool climate as other renowned white wine regions, including France’s Loire Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand and the Rhine in Germany. “Wines from Rías Baixas are incredibly diverse in the foods that they’ll pair with, from shellfish to roast chicken,” explains Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe, Guild Somm’s Chief Instructor and Wine Enthusiast Sommelier of the Year 2018, “you can always reliably find a delicious wine from this region for a tremendous value.”
For more information about Rías Baixas, its wines and wineries, visit www.riasbaixaswines.com. You can also find numerous recipes on the Pairings section of our website. Be sure to connect with us on social as well via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.