Mild-bodied, contemporary and with mouth-watering acidity, Albariño is an indigenous white grape selection from the Iberian Peninsula, standard worldwide for its crisp citrus, stone fruit, gentle floral flavours and saline edge.
Albariños may be ageworthy too, growing notes like preserved lemon and honey whereas gaining focus, extra physique and creaminess – significantly for wines aged on their lees in the course of the winemaking course of.
Primarily grown in Spain and Portugal, the place it’s generally known as Alvarinho, Albariño has made its mark globally, as showcased by latest Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) outcomes, with medal-winning wines rising from New Zealand and Uruguay.
The maritime-influenced area of Rías Baixas in Galicia, northwest Spain, nevertheless, is the heartland of Albariño, and dominated the 2025 competitors with one Platinum and extra Gold medals.
Scroll down to find 15 Albariño wines to strive from DWWA 2025
This yr’s spotlight nevertheless, was the Greatest in Present successful wine from Vinho Verde, which judges described as a ‘benchmark instance’ with a formidable palate. Vinho Verde additionally claimed 4 Golds for varietal or Alvarinho dominant wines, considered one of which made it to the 30 Prime Worth Golds listing (wines below £15), a testomony to the range’s high quality and flexibility.
DWWA Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW mentioned, ‘You may get wine from extraordinary locations, however I’m going to inform you about Spain as a result of that’s, I feel, probably the most thrilling nation in Europe. Within the wet and chilly Atlantic in northwest Spain, throughout Galicia, there are such a lot of totally different wines to seek out. Simply keep in mind Galicia or the Mediterranean coast. You’ll be able to’t go improper.’
To rejoice Albariño Day on 1 August, discover 15 DWWA 2025 award-winning wines to strive from Spain and past. Uncover many extra on our outcomes web site at awards.decanter.com
Albariño Day: 15 award-winning wines to strive
Greatest in Present
Soalheiro, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2024
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
Our Portuguese panel has been alive to the vibe from Moncão et Melgaço in Vinho Verde for some years now (with a Greatest in Present in our 2021 competitors), so it was gratifying to see this benchmark instance cruise its approach again into this yr’s choice. ‘Inexperienced’ is usually an insult in winemaking phrases, however in Portugal’s granite-soiled Vinho Verde (‘inexperienced wine’) area, it’s a prerequisite. The enjoyment of Alvarinho, after all, is that it provides an additional fragrant word of floral allure right here (apricots are extra typical in Galicia), so your journey into the wine is as a lot journey into flower backyard as it’s forest glade. The palate is spectacular: there’s nothing slender or shivering about it, nor does it depend on candy tweaks. As a substitute it’s svelte and textured, with density to match the wine’s pure drive and freshness. Its 12.5% is low sufficient to make it a white to drink, to not sip … with or with out meals: this wine would make each a quenching aperitif and an ideal summer-salad white. Alcohol 12.5%
New Zealand
Yealands Property, Single Winery Albarino, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2024
Silver, 93 factors
Engaging varietal bouquet with blossom, white peach and citrus characters. Densely fruited with a juicy palate and lengthy end. Charming. Alc 13.5%
Portugal
Anselmo Mendes, Pingo Doce, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2024
Gold, 95 factors
Alive with lemon verbena, coriander herbs and white flowers that dance over the nostril and palate, refined by a agency, mineral construction and citrus zest acidity. Alc 12.5%
Casal Ventozela, Azul Marinho, Vinho Verde 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
An exquisite varietal showcase of ripe pear, peach, apricot and mandarin aroma with a riveting herbaceous complexity and supple citrus acidity. Lengthy, elegant and rewarding. Alc 12.5%
Provam, Varanda Do Conde, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2024
Worth Gold, 95 factors
Inviting acacia florals, crushed herbs and juicy white peaches intertwine with a tangy nerve of acidity and a beautiful saline mineral character which persists in the direction of the lengthy end. Alc 13%
Quinta de Paços, Unfiltered, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2020
Gold, 95 factors
Thriving with yellow apple, peach and white flower notes which spill out onto advanced construction, gifted with mouth-watering lime zest acidity and a exact mineral end. Alc 13.5%
Spain
Adegas Valmiñor, Rías Baixas 2024
Platinum, 97 factors
Elaborate swirls of lime, lemon, passionfruit and white peach entice the nostril while the pristine purity of acidity and mineral freshness disarms the terroir-driven palate. Salty, linear and tangy, demonstrating Atlantic fashion at its finest. Alc 13%
Bodegas Aquitania, Bernon, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 96 factors
Emanating Atlantic Ocean zeal and drive; bursting with peach, pear, apricot and orange blossom fragrance, with salivating acidity and a progressive mineral construction. Lengthy and expressive. Alc 13%
Vía Barrosa, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 96 factors
Stuffed with vitality and enthusiasm: lifted flinty florals intertwine with capacious apricots, peaches and citrus. Fulsome and rounded with zesty acidity and a succulent salty end. Alc 12.5%
Bodega Davide, 2º Año, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 95 factors
Ebullient passionfruit, peach, apricot and grapefruit aromas frolic throughout the nostril, lining the broad, beneficiant palate. Crisp and rasping with a salty twist on the finish. Alc 13%
Pazo de Rubianes, García de Caamaño, Rías Baixas 2021
Gold, 95 factors
Lithe and nimble notes of lily and peach blossom invigorate the welcoming spritz on the palate, and infuse the interesting tangerine acidity. Crisp and lengthy. Alc 13.5%
Maior de Mendoza, 3 Crianzas, Rías Baixas 2021
Silver, 94 factors
Perfumed and refined, with rose petals, peaches and citrus fruit aromas on the nostril. Exhibiting stress and a salty end. Alc 12%
Martín Códax, Arousa, Rías Baixas 2022
Silver, 94 factors
Refined, with peachy fruit aromas and notes of lemon blossom and lime juice. Brilliant and full of life acidity, elegant and pure. Alc 12.5%
Uruguay
Altos de Jose Ignacio, Reserva 2024
Silver, 94 factors
Peachy nostril with aromas of moist stones, citrus zest, white pepper and yellow flowers. Ripe palate, with a stunning stress. Alc 13%
Bodega Garzón, Reserva 2024
Silver, 94 factors
Pretty floral carry, stone fruit character and salty undertones. The palate is wealthy with a stunning acid core. Saline end. Alc 13%
Search all DWWA 2025 outcomes
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Rías Baixas – 10 Information to Know
Worth Golds: DWWA’s Prime 30 Golds below £15
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