Albariño is a white wine grape, primarily grown in the northwest corner of the Iberian peninsula, in Portugal and Galicia. The two most prominent regions that make Albariño wine are Vinho Verde and Rías Baixas.
It’s typically very high in acid and brings flavours of stone fruits with a hint of salinity. The grape is generally grown in coastal regions, and on the whole, it is defined by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a brilliant pairing for a whole variety of seafood.
Meat That Pairs Well With Albariño
Albariño has the potential to enhance pretty much any white fish dish, as well as oysters, mussels, clams and octopus.
An interesting aspect of Albariño is that it can handle a little bit of spice. It’s a highly refreshing wine, with a lemony citrus profile. Don’t be afraid to pair it with some stir-fried shrimp, or any dish that requires a twist of lime or lemon juice. It invariably goes well with Mexican-style seafood, such as ceviche or fish tacos.
Outside of seafood, you can think about pairing Albariño with chicken, which would be particularly good in a classic chicken salad. Albariño is sharp enough to cut through the fat of mayonnaise and boiled eggs.
Cheese That Pairs Well With Albariño
With Albariño, you’ll be looking for soft and salty cheeses. The wine can cut through the cheese’s creaminess, and the saltiness of the cheese will exaggerate the freshness of the wine. It’s the perfect contrast.
More specifically, look for cheeses such as Manchego, Feta, Comté, Gouda, Burrata, and even Halloumi, which is not soft, but more than salty enough to contrast beautifully with Albariño.
Appetizers That Pair Well With Albariño
As a zingy, mouth-watering white wine, Albariño is great on its own and can be used as an aperitif. As for before-dinner finger food, think about pairing it with briny olives, to complement the saline notes of Albariño. The same reason makes sushi a great option or even just dried seaweed snacks.
To keep it authentic and Iberian-themed, maybe pair Albariño with gazpacho or calamari. Fresh, herby sauces such as Mexican salsa verde with corn chips, and tartar sauce, with its seafood connotations, are both worth thinking about too.
Vegetarian Dishes That Pair Well With Albariño
To pair vegetarian dishes with Albariño, you’ll want to look for light dishes with their own bit of “zing”.
Green pesto with pasta is a good easy option, matching Albariño’s freshness with fresh green herbs. Albariño is great for cleansing the palate of oils, so you can also go for dishes coated in olive oil, such as salads or bruschetta. A mozzarella or feta salad would be ideal, combining a whole load of complementary flavours in one go.
There is a whole host of Spanish tapas that would fit the bill, as well as vegetable fritters. You can also go Mediterranean – hummus can be delightfully tangy, so put it on top of some flatbread, serve with a glass of Albariño, and let the food do the rest of the work.
Herbs That Pair Well With Albariño
When pairing herbs with Albariño, think fresh and green, and think about herbs that you usually find in seafood dishes. Tarragon and dill and both quite pungent and grassy. Garlic, wild garlic, cilantro and coriander are also fresh and punchy enough to complement a glass of Albariño.
Food That Does Not Pair Well With Albariño
Avoid red meats with thick umami or red wine sauces, like gravy or stew. Albariño is usually quite light-bodied, so they run the risk of overwhelming it completely. Some particularly sharp cheeses such as blue cheese may also clash with the wine, fighting for dominance over your tastebuds, rather than contrasting nicely.
Best Foods To Eat With Albariño
In short, Albariño is the perfect wine to drink alongside some seafood. The sea is in its DNA, and the high acidity and subtle saline flavour enable it to be paired with a huge variety of sea-faring snacks. These are your best options:
- Shellfish
- Fish tacos
- Vegetarian tapas
- Soft cheese
- White fish
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