Sun or no sun, here’s the perfect excuse to indulge in a glass of invigorating Spanish white. World Albariño Day this Thursday celebrates the grape from the rugged Galician coast (notably from Rías Baixas), grown also across the border in Portugal. Mineral-fresh, with occasional peachy notes, it’s ideal with seafood doused in fresh lemon juice.
Here’s how I pair it with scallops and samphire.
Extra Special Albariño 2023 (12.5%), £9.75, Asda.
This lively offering has won an array of medals. On tasting it, it’s easy to see why – the classic lemon and saline nuances make it irresistibly quaffable on a warm August afternoon.
Taste the Difference Albariño 2022 (12.5%), £11, Sainsbury’s.
A riper style, evocative of Spanish sunshine, this is bursting with stone fruit and honeysuckle. An enticing pour to go with herby roast chicken as well as fresh salads.
M&S Classics Albariño 2023 (13%), £12, ocado.com.
This bright, fresh and fruity crowd-pleaser is from M&S’s consistently reliable range. My choice of food to go with it would be a pint of prawns, chips and mayonnaise.
Codorníu Albariño Organic Wine 2022 (12%), £11, Co-op.
Beyond Galicia, there’s this vibrant, mineral-fresh number from the lesser-known Costers Del Segre region of Catalonia. Be sure to have it on your radar.
