Celtic in origin, workship to St James, green landscape, bagpipes, fjords, 2000ml of rain per year. We all think Wales, Scotland or Ireland. Galicia couldn't be any further away from Spanish stereotypes. The landscape too harsh for growing anything and a climate almost too wet for vines, special planting techniques are used as conventional viticulture doesn't work here.
Alvariño is the main grape in the Rias Baixas DO (denomination of origin). Under the name Alvarinho (same grape) vinho verde is produced across the border in Portugal. Alvariño was almost extinct in a country of red wines, where the conditions were once too tricky to make good quality wines. With the arrival of new techniques, investments have poured and wine quality has improved dramatically. It is one of their most important white grapes in Spain and makes one of the best white wines in the world.
Orballo, Albariño 2012
APPEARANCE
Clarity: clear. Intensity: pale. Colour: lemon
NOSE
Condition: clear. Intensity: pronounced.
Aroma characteristics: floral (honeysuckle?) and fruity (stone fruit, apricot)
PALATE
Sweetness: dry.
Acidity: medium to high acidity (it makes your mouth water)
Body: medium to full body
Flavours: peach, red apple and grapefruit
Finish: medium
CONCLUSION
Very good and great value for money. Great balance of intense flavours with a medium to long finish. Try it with Vietnamese or Thai food, a normal dinner will turn into an experience.
For those with an incline for a point system, Decanter gives this wine 94 out of 100. Best drunk when young, within two years from production, although some Albariños are oaked and destined to mature in bottle.
John wines has the most competitive offer for the Orballo 2012 at £9.95 per bottle
http://www.johnhwines.co.uk/product/albarino-orballo/
Aitken wines sells Orballo 2012 at £9.99 per bottle (not far off)
http://www.aitkenwines.com/item/Brand_All-Wines_Orballo-Albarino-2012-Rias-Baixas-Spain_17_0_399_0.html
Virgin wines sells Orballo 2012 at £10.99 per bottle
http://www.virginwines.co.uk/wines/Orballo-Albarino/PRD~C04718/
Alvariño is the main grape in the Rias Baixas DO (denomination of origin). Under the name Alvarinho (same grape) vinho verde is produced across the border in Portugal. Alvariño was almost extinct in a country of red wines, where the conditions were once too tricky to make good quality wines. With the arrival of new techniques, investments have poured and wine quality has improved dramatically. It is one of their most important white grapes in Spain and makes one of the best white wines in the world.
Orballo, Albariño 2012
APPEARANCE
Clarity: clear. Intensity: pale. Colour: lemon
NOSE
Condition: clear. Intensity: pronounced.
Aroma characteristics: floral (honeysuckle?) and fruity (stone fruit, apricot)
PALATE
Sweetness: dry.
Acidity: medium to high acidity (it makes your mouth water)
Body: medium to full body
Flavours: peach, red apple and grapefruit
Finish: medium
CONCLUSION
Very good and great value for money. Great balance of intense flavours with a medium to long finish. Try it with Vietnamese or Thai food, a normal dinner will turn into an experience.
For those with an incline for a point system, Decanter gives this wine 94 out of 100. Best drunk when young, within two years from production, although some Albariños are oaked and destined to mature in bottle.
John wines has the most competitive offer for the Orballo 2012 at £9.95 per bottle
http://www.johnhwines.co.uk/product/albarino-orballo/
Aitken wines sells Orballo 2012 at £9.99 per bottle (not far off)
http://www.aitkenwines.com/item/Brand_All-Wines_Orballo-Albarino-2012-Rias-Baixas-Spain_17_0_399_0.html
Virgin wines sells Orballo 2012 at £10.99 per bottle
http://www.virginwines.co.uk/wines/Orballo-Albarino/PRD~C04718/
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