An Introduction to Albariño
Followers of The Life of Stuff on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram will know that a few weeks ago I was on an Albariño Trail across Dublin. Being a guest, and wining and dining alongside some of Ireland’s top-notch Food, Drink, Travel and Lifestyle writers and bloggers was a great buzz. The event which was hosted by Wines from Spain, organised by Host & Company, and guided by Wine Expert Lisa O’Doherty was flawless.
Before I share with you the details of the Albariño Tour across Ireland this July. Here’s a brief summary on the aforementioned Albariño Trail across Dublin – it should give you a taster of what to expect if you decide to join the tour in Limerick, Galway and Dublin, and includes tasting notes from Lisa.
Our Albariño Trail started in style at The Shelbourne in The Trophy Room within The Saddle Room at 6.30pm.
The Menu:
- Natural Oyster
- Natural Dungarvan Smoked Oyster with Truffled Leeks
- Fivemiletown Goat’s Cheese Mousse with Pickled Spring Vegetables
- Dingle Cured Salmon with Liscannor Crab
The Wines with Tasting Notes courtesy of Lisa O’Doherty:
Albariño Agnus Dei – Simple wine to start, light fruit driven style, slightly salty tang perfect with the Oysters.
Albariño Pazo Barrantes – There is a slight hint of carbonic gas, a prickle on the tongue, very expressive with grassy aromas and a little balsamic, waxy apples – a fuller style to go with the smoked Oysters.
Next stop was Suesey Street at about 7.30pm
The Menu:
- New Season Asparagus, Clogher Head Crab Meat, Lemon Mayonnaise
- Salted Cod Brandade, Basil Crème Fraiche, Salsa Verde
The Wines with Tasting Notes courtesy of Lisa O’Doherty:
Rula Albariño – Here we see the minerality and crispness that Albariño is famous for, perfect for salted cod.
Albariño Condes De Alberei – This wine offers a clean, citrusy and mineral-laden version of the grape – it is reflective of the regions wet climate.
Our final stop was Brioche Restaurant in Ranelagh at approximately 8.30pm
The Menu:
- Braised Leeks, Potato & Artichokes
- Ham Terrine, Picked Onions, Spiced Pineapple Relish
The Wines with Tasting Notes courtesy of Lisa O’Doherty:
Terras Gauda O Rosal – My personal favourite of all the Albariño’s. This is rich full style with lots of crispness and warmer fruit.
Val do Sosego – Tropical notes dominate, pineapple and ripe apples but still retains its freshness.
Both these wines are real grown up wines and make perfect bedfellows for the food at this stop.
Albariño on Tour
Wines from Spain have teamed up with Rías Baixas this July to bring a series of Albariño wine tastings across Ireland. The locations, dates and host details are as follows:
30th June – No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa, Georgian Quarter, Limerick
Hosted by Irish Independent Wine Writer, Liam Campbell
7th July – The Twelve Hotel, Barna, Co. Galway
Hosted by Elizabeth Fox from GMIT
13th July – Green Man, Wine Merchant & Wine Bar, 3 Terenure Road North, Dublin 6
Hosted by Irish Examiner Wine Writer, Leslie Williams
“Guests will have the opportunity to taste a number of Albariño wines from Rías Baixas, the cool coastal home of the Albariño grape, located in the Celtic region of Galicia where some of Spain’s premium white wines are produced. The finest Rías Baixas wines are characterised by their intense aromas and floral notes – perfect summer wines which will be excellently paired at each event with Galician-inspired tapas. Depending on the venue, guests can expect tapas dishes including Pulpa a la gallega (a traditional Galician octopus dish); Arroz Negra (black rice with seafood); Crispy Whitebait; Tetilla cheese; Crab Pintox with pancetta and apple and Croquetas Jamon with paprika aioli.” (Wines from Spain)
Each evening will include an introduction to seven different Rías Baixas wines.
Nº1 Pery Square Hotel, Limerick – 30th June
- Pazo de Señorans
- Fulget
- Valmiñor
- Fefiñanes
- Paco y Lola
- Pazo de Villarei
- Señorio de Cruces
The Twelve Hotel, Bearna, Galway – 7th July
- Xión Attis
- Mar de Frades
- Eidosela
- Segrel Ambar – Pablo Padín
- Terra de Asorei
- Pazo San Mauro
- Condes de Albarei
Green Man Wines, Terenure, Dublin – 13th July
- Abellio
- Veiga Naúm
- Terras Gauda O Rosal
- Namorio
- Señorio de Rubiós
- Fefiñanes
- Bago Amarelo
Tickets for each evening are priced at €25 per person and are available to book directly from each venue. Ticket prices include wine tastings and tapas pairings.
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