Codax albariño offers a subtle alternative to pinot grigio

Albariño is Spain’s finest white grape, one whose wines stand out from the crowd with palpable nobility and elegance. It is native to the remote Galicia region, a cool, moist Atlantic northwestern zone known as Green Spain. The first recorded references to the vine in the mid-19th century dubbed it the “alba riño” or white Rhine, thanks to the stylistic resemblance of its wines to what were then the world’s top-ranked whites, Germany’s aristocratic riesling. Many stories circulated, claiming a historical pedigree for albariño, most speculating that monks from Burgundy or Alsace must have brought cuttings of their excellent vines along on pilgrimages to the tomb of St. James at Santiago de Compostela. However, modern genetic research confirms that the albariño grape is not related to French or German grapes. The wines made with this grape do have an exceptional delicacy, fragrance and finesse, whether grown in Spain or Portugal, featuring a penetrating scent of white peaches, golden apples and chamomile blossoms that belies their low alcoholic strength. Even the most affordable, like this widely available brand, have a lasting finish on the palate that some grapes cannot consistently deliver. Albariño makes a delicious upgrade for fans of subtle whites like Italian pinot grigio or a more affordable alternative to French Macon-Villages or Chablis. It is albariño’s very mildness of flavor that makes it such a sublime and versatile partner with a range of foods, from heirloom tomato salads and sushi to pork chops and falafel.

$12.99; 12.5% alcohol

PLCB Item #5170

Sale price through 3/28 – regularly $15.99

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