Hold the pinot gris – this Spanish drop is headed for its time in the limelight. Here’s why.

Don’t be fooled – the world of white wine goes far beyond the savvy b, pinot gris and chardonnay you already know. Data from 2020 found there were at least 130 varieties of grapes being crushed across Australia alone, which means there’s a huge amount of glistening, golden, scrumptious elixir out there to fill your cup. Albariño (pronounced “alba-reen-yo”, as in, “alba-reen-YO! This wine is delicious”) is one of them, and since it’s finding itself on more and more Australian wine lists, we’ve pulled together five bottles that help prove why.

If you’re wondering what albariño is, you’ll need a little background on this tasty drop before you take a bottle to your next foodie hang. Albariño hails from Europe’s Iberian Peninsula (Portugal, Spain and the south-east corner of France), so it’s a real coastal grape and thrives in the sea breeze. Some of the oldest living vines in the world are albariño – it’s thought to have been first planted by Spanish monks in the 12th century – and albariños made in Spain’s Rías Baixas region (as well as parts of Portugal, where it’s known as alvarinho) are particularly celebrated.

Despite how we all feel about a long winter, Australia has a fair bit in common with the climates of Spain and Portugal, and the albariño grape has found homes in places like Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula and Barossa, among others. The grapes themselves are small, hard and thick-skinned, and in Spain they’re grown on vines trellised up high on pergolas to keep them dry and rot-free. All this means it’s not the easiest wine to make, but it’s a labour of love that pays off.

If riesling’s your bag, albariño might appeal. We’re fans of its serious fruity freshness – think lemon, grapefruit and stone fruit flavours, with a light body and high acidity. It’s also seafood’s best mate, so if you love the idea of a bowl of mussels alongside a crisp glass of wine, it’s time to dig in. The best news is that you can find really solid examples at a really decent price. Ahead, we have five albariños to try now.

Torroxal Albariño - a dry, light style of albariño

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1. The west coast cooler

Albariño is famed for its freshness, and Torroxal Albariño from Spain’s north-west coast is box-fresh. A water-light mouth-feel, citrus-bright and ripe with apricot and nectarine flavours, this bottle is a home-run every time, regardless of what’s on the menu. However, if we were to pick a perfect dinner date for Torroxal, it would be a cheese toastie. Try it and tell us we’re wrong.

2. The reigning champ

Pazo Barrantes Albariño has been a standout expression for over a decade. Even in Spain’s Rías Baixas region where it’s made, Pazo Barrantes is considered the best of the best. The high acidity means it’s crisp, but not sharp, like diving into the ocean in the early morning, and the flavour is decidedly apricot. Being the perfect example of the varietal, pairing it with seafood paella is pure magic.

The Pazo Barrantes Albariño pairs well with seafood

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The Pulpo Albariño balances florals and fruit

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3. The equaliser

When it comes to white wine, people really pigeonhole themselves. You’re out for dinner and Joe’s like, “I only like pinot grigio”, and Val’s all “I can only drink chardy”, while you’ve been drinking riesling. Time to pull out Pulpo Albariño and please the crowd. Also from Rías Baixas, this is incredibly balanced, both floral and fruity, and right down the middle for intensity, acidity and body. If only it was as easy to choose the food.

4. Máximo patriótico

Named for the tiles that adorn Spanish houses, churches and palaces alike, this brand is passionate about Iberian culture. Azulejo Albariño is exactly what you want to drink when you’re imagining yourself at a bar in San Sebastián, popping olives and plates of fried baby squid drenched in lemon. Pardon the drool. This wine is dry, clean and juicy.

The Albariño Azulejo is great with a range of snacks

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The Alba Martin Albarino is made from grapes grown by the sea in Galicia

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5. Wine for the fishes

You can taste the Atlantic ocean in Alba Martin Albarino. It’s made entirely from grapes grown by the sea in Galicia, giving the wine a natural minerality that makes it super drinkable. We’re recommending you take it to your next seafood barbie because no matter what ocean delights are thrown on the grill, it’s going to taste sensational with this in your glass.