The Rías Baixas region of Galicia in north-western Spain is a wild and beautiful landscape, famous for the Albariño grape, which is often considered one of Spain’s finest.
Geologists think that the Rías Baixas formed as a result of tectonic action, which sunk areas near the coast and along the river valleys (a ria is a kind of estuary). However it was created, the region has always drawn tourists with its long beaches and high cliffs facing the Atlantic just above Portugal’s Costa Verde.
Restaurant Mayfair Spanish Regional wines
And like the Costa Verde, Rías Baixas is green because of its mild, moist maritime climate. The Atlantic Ocean makes a direct contribution to the cool, humid conditions that are perfect for growing the Albariño vines. Some say the ocean gives the wine a trace of salinity.
There are 20,000 vineyards in the region, around 90 per cent of them growing Albariño grapes, and the wines are fresh and aromatic with notes of citrus, green apple and peach with a certain floral element.
On the palate, the straw-coloured Albariño wines are crisp with high acidity and a well-balanced minerality, and they have a clean and refreshing finish. Apart from tourism and wine making, the region is famous for its fishing fleets and it comes as no surprise that Albariño wine is a perfect match for seafood, especially shellfish, and grilled fish.
Albariño wines
Reveleste Albariño is one of the more notable wines from the region, appreciated for its fresh and pure expression of the Albariño grape. And guess what? It’s on the wine list at El Pirata in Mayfair’s Down Street by the glass at £10 or the bottle at £40. It pairs perfectly with some of the restaurant’s seafood dishes.
El Pirata is one of London’s hidden gems and its wine list, featuring nearly 100 wines, is renowned for its variety and for its value, particularly for Mayfair.
