After lunch on Day 1 of The Wine Academy of Spain’s course at Jaleo in the Crystal City, our instructor, Jesus Bernard dove head first into the Rías Baixas region of Spain. The area is known for its seafood-friendly white wines, particularly those made from the Albariño grape. The wines are often very fragrant and fruity, particularly on the nose, with a touch of salinity in the mouth. Jesus mentioned that the 2008 was a particularly good year for Rías Baixas but if you can’t find a 2008, you should still do well with a bottle from 2007.

2.5 Corks

2007 Vionta Albariño (winery, snooth)
$17
100% Albariño
Light-to-medium gold with a touch of bubbles
Caramel, baked pineapple, mango, and white blossoms on the nose
More mineral, less fruit with strong salty flavors in the mouth
Soft, medium body
Missing the refreshing aspects of a great Albariño

4 Corks

2008 Burgans Albariño from Bodegas Martin Codax (winery, snooth)
$15
100% Albariño
Medium lemon color with a watery rim
Peach, nectarine, mandarin orange, pineapple, mango, eucalyptus, basil, and white blossoms on the nose
Lime, lemon, white blossoms, and minerals with a hint of salt in the mouth
Lime-like acidity, light body

2007 Santiago Ruiz (winery, snooth)
$19
70% Albariño, 20% Loueiro, 10% Treixadura
Pale gold
Pineapple, nectarine, white flowers, something herbaceous, and a touch of almond on the nose
Very briny and minerally in the mouth, like licking a wet stone
Also flavors of flowers, nectarines, apricots, and lime
Nice body and complexity, plus a long finish

4.5 Corks

2007 Fillaboa (snooth)
$19
Medium gold color with a lot of little bubbles
Apricots, nectarines, peaches, granny smith apples, and a touch of honey on the nose
Stone fruits with a lot of salinity and minerality in the mouth
Lime-like acid, with a long finish that has a touch of pleasant bitterness on the end