Light-bodied, fresh and with mouth-watering acidity, Albariño is an indigenous white grape variety from the Iberian Peninsula, popular worldwide for its crisp citrus, stone fruit, light floral flavours and saline edge.
Albariños can be ageworthy too, developing notes like preserved lemon and honey while gaining concentration, additional body and creaminess – particularly for wines aged on their lees during the winemaking process.
Primarily grown in Spain and Portugal, where it’s known as Alvarinho, Albariño has made its mark globally, as showcased by recent Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results, with medal-winning wines emerging from New Zealand, South Africa, Ukraine and Uruguay.
The maritime-influenced region of Rías Baixas in Galicia, northwest Spain, however, is the heartland of Albariño, and dominated the 2024 competition with numerous awards, including several Value Golds.
Scroll down to discover 10 Albariño wines to try from DWWA 2024
Of the competition’s seven Gold medals (95-96 points) to Albariño/Alvarinho wines, five were awarded to wines from Rías Baixas, complemented by an additional 74 Silver medals. Showcasing the variety’s remarkable quality for price, three of these Golds were awarded in the Value category (wines priced under £14.99) with international representation from South Africa, Spain, and Portugal.
DWWA Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW said, ‘You can get wine from extraordinary places, but I’m going to tell you about Spain because that’s, I think, the most exciting country in Europe. In the rainy and cold Atlantic in northwest Spain, all around Galicia, there are so many different wines to find. Just remember Galicia or the Mediterranean coast. You can’t go wrong.’
To celebrate Albariño Day on 1st August, explore 10 DWWA 2024 award-winning wines to try from Spain and beyond. Discover many more on our results site at awards.decanter.com
Albariño Day: 10 award-winning wines to try
Spain
Adegas Galegas, D Pedro De Soutomaior, Rías Baixas 2023
Gold, 96 points
Exemplary bright lemon zest, succulent peach and zingy tangerine aromas intermingle perfectly with the chalky mineral core and precise acidity. Deeply refreshing and impressively persistent. Alc 12.5%
Félix Solís, Medusa, Rías Baixas 2023
Gold, 96 points
Joyous lime and gooseberry intensity with a touch of fennel which pervades the lifted acidity and textured mineral structure. Vibrant and zippy with a classy finish. Alc 12.5%
Bodegas Eidosela, Ethereo, Rías Baixas 2023
Value Gold, 95 points
Glorious honeyed peach, pear and green apple aromatics are enlivened by an underlying herbal fragrance. Bracingly pure with a twist of lime citrus at the end. Alc 13%
La Val, Gran Añada, Rías Baixas 2019
Gold, 95 points
A showcase of granitic terroir: serious, taut and engaging with a harmony of tangerine riches and a wonderful crisp acidity evoking its origins beautifully. Stunning. Alc 12.5%
Serra da Estrela, Rías Baixas 2023
Gold, 95 points
Shimmering grapefruit, white peach and melon aromas entwine with lithe white flowers. Luminous with citrus verve on the palate with a subtle creamy note to end. Alc 12.5%
New Zealand
Waimea, Nelson 2023
Silver, 90 points
Spiced citrus, apples and salty sea air notes. Good roundness to the palate with a fresh acidic line. Alc 13.5%
Portugal
Dona Paterna, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Vivid florals, ripe lemons and apricots bound energetically alongside the tapering salty, briny freshness. Viscous and intense with a punchy citrus acidity and moreish length. Alc 13%
South Africa
Spier, Signature Collection, Stellenbosch 2023
Value Gold, 95 points
Charming Granny Smith and juicy stone fruit characters with a hallmark saline boost. Chalky and mineral on the palate with a gorgeous mandarin twist on the finish. Alc 13.5%
Ukraine
Beykush Winery, Mykolaiv 2023
Silver, 91 points
Fruit driven nose of lime, apple, lemon and Galia melon. Crisp acidity, very perfumed palate, peachy and rather persistent. Alc 13%
Uruguay
Bodega Garzón, Single Vineyard, Maldonado 2023
Silver, 93 points
Inviting nose, showing beautiful scents of citrus fruit, peaches, green olives and salty undertones. Zesty and saline on the palate. Alc 12.5%
