In the glass
Aroma: lemon zest, white peach, fennel, Atlantic salt
Palate: citrus, almond, iodine, saline finish
Xurxo Alba's natural-leaning Salnes Albariño from Castrelo, Cambados: native yeast, minimal sulphites, all the Salnes salinity intact.
What it pairs with
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Galician percebes (goose barnacles) boiled in seawater
Find galician percebes (goose barnacles) boiled in seawater on TableJourney →
Albariño's saline edge and racy acidity echo the iodine of the barnacles without overwhelming their delicate sweet flesh. -
Navajas a la plancha (razor clams) with garlic and parsley
Find navajas a la plancha (razor clams) with garlic and parsley on TableJourney →
Albariño's citrus and salinity track the sweet bivalve flesh and lift the grilled garlic finish. -
Arcade oysters on ice with lemon
Atlantic Galician oysters meet their stylistic twin: same coastal salinity, same citrus snap, same minerality from the Ría de Arousa. -
Vieiras a la gallega (baked scallops with breadcrumbs and ham)
The lees-aged texture wraps the sweet scallop, and the wine's acidity cleans the ham fat between bites.
How to serve Albamar Albariño
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Galician percebes (goose barnacles) boiled in seawater, Navajas a la plancha (razor clams) with garlic and parsley, Arcade oysters on ice with lemon. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Xurxo Alba returned to the family vineyards in Castrelo, Cambados in 2006 and built a small natural-leaning project across roughly three hectares near the Río Umia.
- 2006 — Bodegas Albamar founded by Xurxo Alba in Castrelo, Cambados
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Albamar
- Grapes
- Albariño
- Classification
- DO Rías Baixas
- Oak
- Stainless steel, native yeast, minimal sulphites, 6 months on lees
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- €18-26 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2006
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Albamar Albariño
What does Albamar Albariño taste like?
On the nose, lemon zest, white peach, fennel, Atlantic salt. On the palate, citrus, almond, iodine, saline finish. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. Xurxo Alba's natural-leaning Salnes Albariño from Castrelo, Cambados: native yeast, minimal sulphites, all the Salnes salinity intact.
When should I drink Albamar Albariño?
Drink 3-8 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Albamar Albariño?
Galician percebes (goose barnacles) boiled in seawater is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Navajas a la plancha (razor clams) with garlic and parsley and Arcade oysters on ice with lemon. Albariño's saline edge and racy acidity echo the iodine of the barnacles without overwhelming their delicate sweet flesh.
Is Albamar Albariño vegan?
Yes: the producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.
What grapes are in Albamar Albariño?
The blend is Albariño. The wine is classified as DO Rías Baixas.