The Albarino grape is gaining considerable attention from consumers around the world, and the wines of Rias Baixas of Galicia in north-west Spain are arguably the best known. The grape produces wines with attractive floral aromatics and are very refreshing with their acidity, and are deemed excellent with seafood. There are small plantings in New Zealand, too small to register in the New Zealand Winegrower statistics, but the feeling by many is that it is possibly the best of the emerging varieties which includes the like of Arneis and Gruner Veltliner. I’ve certainly enjoyed seeing the rapid rise in quality and character of Albarino wines made from fruit grown in different regions of the country. Wine importers and distributors have brought in examples for wine drinkers here to enjoy and compare. Those more cynical would say that the overseas examples are benchmarks! Most of the imported Albarinos are from Rias Baixas in Spain, but it is good to see examples from other districts and indeed other countries. Greg Day of Kahurangi Liquor Distributors oversees an adventurous range of imports, and felt the 2016 Alvarinho (same as Albarino) from Aveleda in Portugal was a very good example for his portfolio. I review the wine here. www.kahurangiwine.com
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