EVENTS AND NEWS
Cool, Crisp Albariño Wines from Rías Baixas Refresh Bay Area
Seventeen wineries showcase the new 2007 vintage
May 22, 2008
Elegant Albariño wines from Rías Baixas traveled from Spain’s west coast to ours for the region’s first grand tasting in California on May 15, 2008. In record-breaking heat, San Francisco area press and industry guests quenched their thirst and satiated their palates with the newest vintage of Rías Baixas Albariño wines from 17 different producers.
Overlooking the San Francisco Bay, the Waterfront Restaurant played host to the tasting, part of an ongoing campaign to promote Rías Baixas Albariño wines in the U.S. These crisp, dry white wines with distinctive apple, apricot, or melon characteristics stood up to the heat and showed off their versatility with a wide range of cuisines, beyond the seafood pairings traditional in the wines’ native region of Galicia, Spain.
The event began with a seminar and tasting focusing on the Rías Baixas sub-zones, moderated by author and wine writer Leslie Sbrocco. Leslie explained that the “wines from R?as Baixas rank among my favorites due to their succulent, fruit-driven freshness . . . and are unmatched for their versatility.” Four seminar panelists from the region’s wineries led guests through the technical tasting, including Alexia Luca de Tena of Agnus Dei, Rosa Ruiz of Santiago Ruiz, Jorge Peláez of Marqués de Vizhoja, and Cristina Mantilla, consultant for a number of Rías Baixas producers. The seminar also offered guests the chance to discover Albariño’s ability to age by showing a wine from the 2002 vintage, dispelling the myth that Albariño must be drunk immediately upon release.
Attendees were also treated to small plates prepared by Chef Alex Ong of San Francisco’s Betelnut Pejiu Wu Restaurant. Chef Ong paired dishes such as Asian Pear Kimchee and Beef Rendang, with the different Albariños, which allowed guests to experience Albariño’s versatility of pairing with international cuisines. Chef Ong, commenting on the complex South East Asian culture reflected in his cuisine, said that “the minerality, acidity, and fruit in Albariños compliment the spices and heat in the dishes, bringing out layers upon layers of flavor. The combination is simply delicious.”
Guests enjoyed the cool white wines in environs similar to those found in Albariño’s Galician origins—beautiful rolling hills overlooking the water. Katrin Naelapaa, Director of Wines from Spain, explained that “the rapid growth of imported Spanish wines and foods reflects the changing palate of America,” allowing for Albariño’s success across the continents. In the words of Leslie Sbrocco, “Now is the best time to experience a slice of Spain with these delicious summertime sippers.”
About Rías Baixas Albariño
Formed in 1988, the Rías Baixas DO is the leading Denomination of Origin in the Galician region of northwestern Spain. The DO owes much of its acclaim to the white Albariño grape, elevated by many in Spain to cult status, a trend that is now spreading to US shores. www.riasbaixaswines.com.
About Wines from Spain
Wines from Spain, a promotional division of the Trade Commission of Spain in New York City, under the auspices of the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), is committed to promoting the awareness of Spanish wines and spirits throughout the US. For further information, please contact: Wines from Spain, Trade Commission of Spain, 405 Lexington Avenue, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10174-0331, or by email at: nuevayork@mcx.es. www.winesfromspainusa.com.
Contact
Rías BaixasVisit their Website:
www.riasbaixaswines.com
