Sep
23
Wine Finds: Albariño from California and Spain
Filed Under EN
The albariño grape is used to make crisp, lively white wines from Rías Baixas, a Denominación de Origen in the northwestern part of Spain on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. Also knowns as “Wine of the Sea,” albariño is particularly delicious with fish and shellfish, which are popular in Galician cuisine. Although most of the world’s albariño can be found in Spain and neighboring Portugal, Trader Joe’s is offering an albariño from California. It’s compared below with one from Rías Baixas.
Pórtico Da Ría 2013 Albariño from Spain’s Rías Baixas
Bought • Trader Joe’s, 44 Brentwood Promenade Court, in September for $7.99Description • Rías Baixas albariño wines are usually priced more than $10 in the St. Louis market. Most frequently they run about $15 to $18. So the Pórtico Da Ría is a great introduction to this zesty wine at a very reasonable price. This is a light, minerally wine that’s tart, refreshing and lemony. It’s a great pair with seafood, salads and other light fare.Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve 2013 Albariño from California’s San Luis Obispo CountyBought • Trader Joe’s, 44 Brentwood Promenade Court, in September for $7.99Description • Although you can tell this is the same grape as the one in the Pórtico Da Ría, this is made in more of a New World style. This California albariño is bigger and fruitier. It’s also more aromatic and complex. It has a good acidity with citrus zest along with juicy stone fruit flavors. It would also go with seafood as well as meatier fish dishes and chicken.
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