This Albarino is produced by Bodegas Terres Gauda and comes from Galicia in northwestern Spain. The D.O. is Rias Baixas and the wine is 100% Albarino grapes.
This area of Spain is exposed to the Northern Atlantic Ocean and can be cool or cold and wet. The name Rias Baixas actually means "lower fjords" and there is water everywhere in this area and it play a central role in how grapes are grown in this area of Spain. Most Spanish grape vines are planted ad trained to grow low to the ground. In this area of Spain, that is not an option because of the potential of grape rot due to water exposure. Grapes here are actually trained to grow on tall trellises.
The climate also plays a role in what grapes grow well in Galicia. Because of the cool temperatures and shorter growing season, this region focuses primarily on early ripening white varietals. Because of this the whites usually have wonderful aromatics and fresh acidity.
The color of this wine is light golden yellow. In the glass it reminds me of a light chardonnay.
The aromas I detect are nectarines and oranges with some apple components. Their is also a slight mineral petrol component that adds depth to the fruit.
The first thing I notice is crisp acidity with orange flavors. As the wine hits the mid-palate the acidity subsides and this nice viscous weight becomes evident and the mineral characteristics are front and center backed up by some apple flavors. Maybe just a slight grapefruit component, but its not a primary flavor. Great finish on this...maybe 20 seconds.
This wine has a price point of $21 in Louisville where I purchased it. I think that possibly that's a couple of dollars to high, but I can't argue with the quality and it's a lot more interesting than most $20 domestic white wines that are in the marketplace.
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