When I first started drinking white wine I was obsessed with Sauvignon Blanc. I really enjoy how light and refreshing it is – especially during the warm weather months. Having spent an entire Summer drinking only Sauvignon Blanc, I realized I was in a major rut. So, I decided it was time to expand my horizons and try a new white wine.
While visiting coastal NY, I checked out a local wine store recommended by my friends. I asked the owner to recommend his favorite white to pair with the shellfish meal we were preparing that evening. He answered, “have you ever heard of Albariño”? I hadn’t. The Albariño he recommended was the perfect pairing for the shellfish! Since then, I have been sampling many styles of Albariño wine and, realized they were all pretty food friendly and would pair well with a variety of dishes well beyond seafood. My favorite Albariño pairing takes a completely different turn! Check out my Grilled Flank Steak & Avocado Salad pairing.
Spanish Albariño
Albariño wine is a crisp, white wine produced in the Rias Baixas region of Spain along the Atlantic coast. It is estimated that over 99% of all wine produced in Rías Baixas is white. Most Albariño wines are very dry and aromatic with a pale golden color in the glass. The flavor profile is bursting with citrus and stone fruits such as mango and apricot.
However, there are a few different microclimates in the region as well as different winemaking techniques, which brings some interesting diversity to the wine. Albariño can be produced as a light white wine or in a fuller style, with oak, adding to the texture and richness of the wine. I love to taste the many styles and pair them with different foods!
Pairings
Albariño wines are extremely food-friendly due to their high acidity and low alcohol profile. Fish and shellfish pair very well with Albariño as do green herbs and salads. Albariño wine will also pair nicely with both hard and soft cheeses like Burrata and Manchego.
My Favorite Pairings
Grilled Flank Steak & Avocado Salad
An unexpected pairing with Albariño wine.
The avocado salad is as crisp and refreshing
as the wine!
