white grape · regional staple
Albariño
Miño River valley, Galicia/Minho border region, Iberian Peninsula
Say it
al·ba·ree·nyoh
The ñ is a palatal nasal, identical to the 'ny' in 'canyon'; the VIVC prime name is the Portuguese spelling Alvarinho
On the palate
lemongrapefruitwhite peachapricotmelonsalinity
How you spot it blind: briny salinity cutting through high acidity and ripe stone-fruit aromatics
The story
First written down · 1731, Galicia (Pazo Baión estate records)
DNA analysis disproved the popular Cluny-monks import legend; Roman-era grape seeds from the O Areal excavation in Galicia (2nd–4th c. AD) point to local domestication from wild vines.
Where it lives
Rías Baixas, Spain · Vinho Verde – Monção e Melgaço, Portugal
Shows up as
stillRías BaixasVinho Verde
If you like this, try
Also answers to Alvarinho.
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