Albariño Grape Varietal Definition

By Gayot Editors

Albariño, or Alvarinho, is a white grape varietal primarily grown in the Rías Baixas region of Spain and the Vinho Verde region of Portugal. Its name means white (alba in Latin) wine from the Rhine region, since it was originally thought to be Riesling.

The Albariño grape produces light, aromatic wines with high acidity that pair well with fish and seafood as well as many spicy Asian dishes.

A number of Australian wines are still labeled Albariño, despite DNA results proving that most are actually made from the French Savagnin grape.