July 28, 2010 9:09 am

Wine of the Day: Martín Códax Albariño

I've always been a self-declared Sauvignon Blanc lover. There's nothing like it in hot weather, it pairs with a wide variety of foods and makes a perfect kir (my aperitif of choice). But I've recently discovered a lesser-known but equally delicious varietal that has been giving my beloved Sauvignon a run for its money: Albariño.

Albariño, a grape native to Spain and northwest Portugal, literally means "white wine from the Rhine (river)." If you've never tasted Albariño before, look for a bottle from the Rías Biaxas region, whose maritime climate and mountain barriers make for ideal growing conditions. Martín Códax is one of the best producers of Albariño in the region, making an aromatic and complex wine with crisp flavors of pear, passion fruit and pineapple. This is a very food-friendly wine, and pairs perfectly with summery salads, grilled fish or soft cheeses.

Tip: Look for Albariños produced in 2008, which was a long and cool growing season that resulted in large quantities of perfectly ripened grapes.

Photo credit: www.klwines.com

— Written by Lisa Curry

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Tags : Martin Codax, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain, Wine, Lisa Curry

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