Albariño - Away from home!

Albariño is grape which is indigenous to the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is not clear as to which side of the Portuguese-Spanish border it originates from. It is known as Albariño in Galicia, Spain; in Portugal, it is commonly known as Alvarinho, and sometimes as Cainho Branco. The origin of the name "Albariño" comes from Albar, meaning "white or whitish" (and in Portuguese "Alvarinho" "Alvarano" from Alvar and Alvo), and those from Latin Albus meaning "white". Albariño is known to be an aromatic variety and produces some really refreshing white wines with aromas of grapefruit, apple blossom, lemon zest and white peach laced with rocky and briny minerality. The grape is often made into a lightly sparkling Vinho Verde in Portugal, which is commonly labelled varietally.

@Albariño Grape Bunches

Although Albariño is commonly grown in Portugal and Spain, it is has been doing astonishingly well in the USA. Albariño was introduced in America by the director of winemaking at CaliPaso, Alan Kinne. He originally planted Albariño from cuttings which he bought along from Galicia in Spain in Virginia in 1996, following which he planted a plot in Calistoga. It was in the year 2000 when Alan Kinne planted this variety in Edna Valley’s Jack Ranch along the Central Coast. The historic Paragon vineyards were planted using the cuttings from this vineyard by the Niven family. Albariño produced in California is harvested at higher potential alcohol and some are aged in oak. The Californian style is higher in alcohol compared to Spain. Another main difference is that the acid in the berries is not as aggressive in the USA compared to the ones grown in Spain and Portugal. Albariño is still in its evolution stage in the USA.

Let's discover some producers who are exploring Albariño in the USA:

- Abacela

@Abacela Albariño.

Abacela is a distinguished winery located in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Its earliest vines were planted in 1995 by the founder's Earl and Hilda Jones. They were first to introduce Tempranillo and Albariño in America. The first Albariño vines were planted in the year 2000 and have two clones of Albariño planted in several north sloping blocks, currently growing 11.3 acres of the same. Abacela produces its Albariño in a very fresh and floral style with 100% estate-grown grapes and is fermented completely in stainless steel.

- Palmer Vineyards

@Palmer Vineyards Albariño.

Founded in 1983 by Robert Palmer. The vineyard is located on a parcel of gravel in North Fork of Long Island. Palmer Vineyards today is owned and operated the Massoud Family and is one of the most well-reputed estate wineries in New York. Long Island’s first Albariño was first released back in 2010 by Palmer Vineyards and its Spanish-born winemaker Miguel Martin. The first wine was made using fruit grown on vines planted in 2007. The wine displays notes of crisp apple, sweet peach and a slight touch of orange peel and fragrant white flowers.

- Tangent

@Tangent, Paragon Vineyard, Albariño.

It all started when Jack Niven came to San Luis Obispo with a vision of planting a vineyard in 1970. Since then, the Niven family have been owning and farming the vineyard from 40 years. Niven Family has made Albariño their main focus, as Albariño slowly spread its roots all over Edna valley in Central Coast. They have developed 45 acres of the Paragon Vineyard only for Albariño. The wine is vibrant, fruitful and is made completely free from oak, nor do they induce any Malolactic fermentation. 

Article by - Ranjit Shirke, Certified Sommelier.