The White Wines of Rias Baixas

Posted on Apr 19, 2021


The #WorldWineTravel group is continuing its virtual tour of Spain and this month features the region of Rias Baixas. We took a closer look at our favourite variety of white wine grape grown there: Albariño. To read the other articles related to this month’s topic, please refer to the links at the end of this article.

SpainEight years ago, we got our first real introduction to Albariño. We boarded a cruise ship in London and one of our stops was in Northern Spain. Wandering the streets of the small towns we would stop in cafes and have a glass of Albariño, the local favourite. Always served with a tapa, we were instantly won over by the wine’s combination of rich texture coupled with bracing acidity. We have been enjoying the wines ever since.

Rias Baixas (pronounced ree-az bay-shus) sits in Northwestern Spain, on the Atlantic coast, immediately North of the Portuguese border.

Rias means river and Baixas means lower, and the region takes its name from the many rivers which drop down to the sea there. Being on the Atlantic Ocean it has a cool climate. In fact, this area is sometimes referred to as “Green Spain” as the countryside is marked by lush green coastlines, more similar to what is commonly thought of as the appearance of Ireland than of the arid interior of Spain. Morning mists shroud granite stone castles and the lush vineyards, further conjuring up images of Ireland. As you would expect from this description of its topography, this is a region that receives plenty of rainfall, but most of this rainfall, fortunately, falls outside of the growing season. The region’s 2,200 hours of sunshine per year fall mostly in the growing season allowing for fully ripened grapes in most vintages.

Rias Baixas was granted official status as a Denominacien Origine (“DO”) in 1980. However viniferous grape growing is documented as far back as 1200 AD. There are 5 sub regions within the DO: Salnes, Riberio do Ulla, Soutomaior, Condado de Tea and O Rosal.

Spain

The unique vine training system used in Rias Baixas

One of the more interesting features of the Rias Baixas viticulture is the vine training system most commonly used there. Rather than thin metal posts with horizontal wires that the canes are trained along, usually at the 3 to 5 foot level, a pergola system is used. Thick granite columns rise 5 to 7 feet and then thin boards or wires (called “parras”) are placed on top to make a slatted roof. The vines rise up to the slats and then canes run along them creating a roof of leaves and grape clusters. In this damp climate the pergola system allows for plenty of air flow which is necessary to keep the grapes dry enough to avoid rot or disease.

At a wine seminar led by Lyn Farmer we did a tasting of 10 wines from Rias Baixas. He is a James Beard award-winning wine and food writer, broadcaster and educator and teacher of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) diploma courses. Having an expert take you through the facts and figures background of the region and then immediately follow that up with a horizontal tasting of 10 wines is a great way to get an understanding of a viticultural region.

Lyn Farmer [source: lynfarmer.com]

Our primary takeaways from the seminar were:

  1. This is a unique and distinctive terroir and is deserving of its own DO. That is, there was a consistency of the wines that spoke of a singular place.
  2. Within the broader context of a similar regional identity, there were differences among the 5 sub regions.
  3. The regional signature was generally one of medium to full bodied wines with plenty of back-end acidity, making for a great balance and a unique profile. Flavours tended to reveal honeydew melon, apricot, green apple and citrus. In some ways similar to a Pinot Gris or a Riesling but with more body and weight.
  4. The wines were served just below room temperature. I agree with Lyn Farmer that you do not want to serve these wines right out of the fridge; the acidity dominates too much at that temperature and the body does not get a chance to show. We personally would recommend cellar temperature or slightly lower.
  5. O Rosal was our favourite sub region. We also found that those wines that saw lees stirring, went through full malolactic and/or saw oak ageing had a fuller profile (as expected) and we thought those wines balanced the bright acidity and made the best expression of the region.
  6. The wines in general offer very good quality and value for a very fair price. They are also very food friendly. We have only tasted young wines from the region but apparently the better versions can improve in bottle for up to a decade.

Tasting Notes

Rias Baixas

2016 Martin Codax

2016 Martin Codax

Produced at a co-op owned by 50 local families. Melon on the nose. Flavours of green apple and grapefruit blend with minerals. Lots of acidity creates a sharp finish that is long and citrus tinged. From the Salnes sub-region.

Very Good

2016 Valminor

From the O Rosal sub-region. Apple and nectarine with a slightly saline nose. As one takes in the aroma, you can just picture the neighbouring ocean and waves crashing! Medium body and golden in colour. A richer expression than the Codax, with good back-end acidity.

Very Good+

Northern Spain

2014 As Laxas

2016 Bodegas Laxas

From the Condado de Tea sub-region. Here the expression is richer and fuller but the signature acidity on the finish lets you know you are still in Rias Baixas. Apricot and apple notes and hints of honeydew with a spice-tinged finish.

Very Good+

2016 Condes De Albarei

Made from 20 year old vines in Val do Salnes, this has a fuller expression with flavours of golden delicious apples, melon and that saline quality that imparts a savoury note. The finish is long and crisp.

Very Good+/Excellent

Rias Baixas

2016 Santiago Ruiz

2016 Santiago Ruiz

Most of the wines at this tasting were 100% Albariño but this wine from O Rosal was a blend of 74% Albariño, 10% Loureiro, 7% Godello, 5% Treixadura and 4% Caino Blanco. White peaches and minerals are delivered with medium body and medium acidity. Balanced and textured.

Very Good+/Excellent

2016 Fillaboa

Back to 100% Albariño, another from Condado de Tea. Green apple notes and plenty of acidity. Slightly austere. One of the leaner wines at the tasting. Good

Rias Baixas spain

2016 Terras Gauda

2016 Terras Gauda

From O Rosal this is a blend of 70% Albariño, 18% Caino Blanco and 12% Lureiro. Full body, rich and textured. Intense flavours of golden delicious apple, apricot and slight citrus and saline notes on the long finish. For us, the wine of the tasting.

Excellent

2015 Pablo Padin Sergrel Ambar

100% Albariño raised for 8 to 10 months in stainless steel tanks. Apple and melon with earthy notes on the juicy finish. The body is soft and seductive, a slightly fuller expression. From the Salnes sub-region.

Very Good+

2016 Pazo de Senorans

100% Albariño, spending 5 months on the lees with stirring but no malolactic fermentation. Nectarine, melon and earth come across on a fuller frame. Again, there is that salinity on the finish, adding to the freshness of this wine.

Very Good+/Excellent

rias baixas spain

2016 Lagar de Condessa

2016 Lagar de Condesa

Another project of the Gil Family who’s Bodegas Juan Gil is gaining fame for its rich Monastrell. Another wine raised in stainless steel, it spends 4 months on the lees with stirring. Green apple and nectarine with minerals on the juicy finish. Good texture and quite complex.

Very Good+/Excellent

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Related articles from #WorldWineTravel

  • Linda, our host, from My Full Wine Glass offers “5 things that might surprise you about Rías Baixas, home of Albariño.”
  • Lynn of Savor the Harvest introduces us to A Region and Wine You Must Explore – Rias Baixas and Albariño
  • Steve of Children of the Grape explores Troubadours, Love, and Wine.
  • Andrea at The Quirky Cork tempts us with Albariño and Bacon: A Love Affair
  • Terri at Our Good Life will be Exploring One Grape: Three Unique Experiences with Albarino
  • Jeff of FoodWineClick! tells A Tale of Two Rias Baixas Albariños.
  • Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm takes us on a virtual trip to Rias Baixas
  • Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog introduces Bodegas Zarate; Setting the Standard for Rias Baixas Albariño – Then and Now
  • Nicole at Somms Table explains It’s Raining Rias Baixas
  • Cam at Culinary Adventures with Camilla pairs Sopa de Cebolla + 2020 Fillaboa Albariño
  • David at Cooking Chat is pairing Pan Seared Sea Bass with Albariño
  • Jennifer at Vino Travels refreshes our palate with Rias Baixas Albariño
  • Gwendolyn from wine predator shares From the Camino de Santiago to the Camino Real: All Aboard for Albariño!
  • Susannah at Avvinare posts Rias Baixas – Green Spain Entices.
  • Melanie from Wining with Mel takes a Wine romp through Rias Baixas in Galicia, Spain.
  • Rupal from Syrah Queen has Your Passport To Rias Baixas – Explore Three Incredible Albarinos.

 

13 Comments

  1. dennis.kercher@gmail.com'

    Based on your post I picked up some Terras Gauda. Fantastic representation of Albarino. Gracias!

    Post a Reply
    • So great to hear! Nothing makes us happier than getting a comment like that!

      Post a Reply
  2. lbwhipple@gmail.com'

    What a great tasting! Based on your reviews, I’d love to get my hands on O Rosal wines. Still so much to discover!

    Post a Reply
  3. nicoleruizhudson@gmail.com'

    What an amazing line-up! Having so many great examples would certainly give a great overview of the region.

    Post a Reply
  4. terristeffes1117@gmail.com'

    Loved that you got to go to Northern Spain via a cruise! I get a chance to go overseas in 2023 and I am busy planning what that might look like. Thanks for sharing your ratings. I love your system.

    Post a Reply
    • We hope Spain will be in your plans, such a great country to visit for so many reasons! We can’t wait to get back on the wine road again…cheers!

      Post a Reply
  5. Robin@42aspens.com'

    I dream of visiting this region, I mean it’s got the green of Ireland and wine grapes! My kind of spot!

    Post a Reply
    • Truly the best of both worlds…for now we’ll happily sip our Albarino and dream of ‘greener’ days…!

      Post a Reply
  6. constantmotioncamilla@gmail.com'

    I loved learning about the parras trellising system. It makes so much sense for the region, right?

    Post a Reply
  7. andrea@thequirkycork.com'

    That sounds like it was an amazing seminar. Thank you for sharing your takeaways! Especially the tip about service temperature.

    Post a Reply
  8. wendyklik1517@gmail.com'

    Thanks for sharing the information from your wine seminar. Very interesting.

    Post a Reply
  9. lwg.mine@gmail.com'

    The parras trellis system makes complete sense given the wet climate and certainly helps backs when it comes to harvest. Great takeaways from your seminar. Agree completely about the serving temperature. With these particular high acid wines, I find my favorites are those that age on lees. We’ll both have to put a bottle in the back of our cellars to see how they age!

    Post a Reply
    • We saw a similar Pergola system in Basque for the Txakoli wines for exactly that reason (it certainly provides an interesting perspective looking up from under vines!). We’ll put some in the back of the cellar and wait until you get here…

      Post a Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Fountains of Wine in the Land of Kings #WorldWineTravel – Children of the Grape - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “The White Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  2. Your Passport To Rias Baixas - Explore Three Incredible Albariños - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “TheWhite Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  3. Wine romp through Rías Baixas in Galicia, Spain – Part One - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “The White Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  4. Troubadours, Love, and Wine #WineworldTravel – Children of the Grape - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “The White Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  5. Bodegas Zarate; Setting the Standard for Rias Baixas Albarino – Then and Now #WorldWineTravel – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “TheWhite Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  6. Albariño and Bacon: A Love Affair (#WorldWineTravel) - The Quirky Cork - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “TheWhite Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]
  7. A Region and Wine You Must Explore: Rias Baixas and Albariño (#WorldWineTravel) - Savor the Harvest - […] Allison and Chris at ADVineTURES discuss “The White Wines of Rias Baixas.” […]

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