On Spain’s rugged northwest coast lies Rias Baixas, the home of Albariño, one of the country’s most desirable dry white wines. The area itself is made up of five subzones, all sharing granite based soils and a damp, cool maritime climate, due to the proximity of the Atlantic. This ocean influence gives these wines a delicious zesty, saline zing.
Due to the humidity and rain traditionally vines are grown using the pergola style - meaning they are suspended 2m above the ground using granite pillars to provide better ventilation and reduce the risk of fungal disease.
The area is great to visit, and is not too far from Santiago de Compostela. Known for its shellfish, a popular local dish alongside a glass of Albariño is ‘percebes’ - lobster flavoured goose barnacles from the local cliffs.
