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CHEESE PAIRING:
Brie
Brin d'Amour
Iberico |
 
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This grape varietal is the up-and-coming, high-class white from Spain andn Portugal and has started getting some international attention in the last 5 years or so. Most come from the Rias Baixas region in the northwestern, coastal section of Spain and the Vinho Verde region of Portugal. A few have been popping up in the last few years from the Central Coast region of California. In body and flavor, these wines are sort of a marriage between the acidity and freshness of Sauvignon Blanc and the aromatics and fruitiness of Viognier. They aren't easy to come by as there aren't that many imported into the United States; however, you should be able to find at least one to try at a good wine shop. Most of the CA versions can only be found at the winery. They're great with seafood dishes or light salads. They generally cost around $12-18. These are wines made to drink young and are particularly good on a warm summer day.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: A light to medium-bodied crisp wine marked by an aromatic floral, citrus, green apple and sometimes stone fruit nose, which continues through onto the palate. Generally unoaked, the best versions are fruity, elegant and refreshing with some minerality and occassionally a bit of ocean air.
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 | 2010 Quinto de Soalheiro Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal | RATING: *** |
| 2009 Cameron Hughes Lot 240 Albarino, Clarksburg, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2008 Bodegas As Laxas Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: *** |
| 2008 Bonny Doon Ca' del Solo Albarino, Sonoma, CA | RATING: * |
| 2008 Paco & Lola Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Bodegas M Albarino Querida, Edna Valley, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2007 Lusca Licia Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2007 Paco & Lola Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2007 tangent Albarino, Edna Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 El Bully "El Bino" Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: * |
| 2006 Martin Codax Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Quinta de Couselo "Turonia" Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Quinta do Feital Auratus Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Salneval Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain | RATING: ** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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