Air-ren
You don’t often see the name “Airén” printed on bottles, yet this white wine varietal is estimated to be the third most planted grape on the planet. The vast majority of Airén vineyards can still be found in Spain, which is also where the grape originates from. It’s a hardy, drought-resistant grape, primarily used as a basis for Brandy and white blends – which is why it is lesser known.
Within Spain, Airén is mostly planted on the arid plateaus of La Mancha and Valdepeñas. There are some rare producers that make single-varietal Airén, and in this article, we’ll let you know what to expect from those wines.
Airén Tasting Notes
In terms of flavour profile, Airén is somewhat comparable to neutral white wines like Pinot Grigio. It’s typically made in a dry style, and single varietal examples range between 11 – 13.5% ABV.
On the nose, you’ll discover aromas of green apple and citrus, such as grapefruit and lemon zest. On the palate, the striking thing about Airén is its low acidity and relatively full body. It’s still considered medium to light bodied, but in comparison to most white wines, it is round and bold. Airén shows distinctive tropical fruit flavours such as pineapple and banana, alongside classic apple notes, and hints of floral rose petals.
Airén Styles
Single varietal Airén will almost always be made in a dry style. However, it is used in countless Spanish white wine blends, and most famously, as an ingredient for Brandy.
It is often blended into white table wines, alongside grapes such as Palomino, Breval or Malvasia. In La Mancha and Valdepeñas, it is also occasionally blended with a Tempranillo clone called Cencibel, to produce light, easy-drinking red wines. Sparkling wines made from Airén are even rarer, but they can be found!
In Brandy and white wine blends, Airén is primarily used to add some body, roundness and higher alcohol levels. It is mostly considered a workhorse grape, so single-varietal versions of Airén aren’t usually regarded as high quality by wine connoisseurs. However, you should still try it out – it’s often delicious, and always very affordable.
When To Drink Airén
Any blend containing Airén is a solid choice for the dinner table. More robust white blends from Spain will be a good pairing for poultry, pork or seafood, as well as any sort of vegetable dish. When it comes to a single varietal Airén however, it will serve best as a refreshing drink on a summer afternoon, or paired with delicate white fish or shellfish.
There is no need to decant Airén, it will reveal most of its character without breathing time. The optimal serving temperature is on the cooler side, between 45-50 ºF (7-10 ºC).
Best Years To Drink Airén
Unless your Airén is forming the base of a Brandy, it isn’t made for long-term aging. It’s low in acidity, and won’t develop any notable tertiary flavours, so it should be consumed young.
However, a good, stiff Spanish Brandy based on Airén can be aged almost indefinitely, thanks to its high alcohol content. Just make sure it’s unopened and kept in a cool, dark place!
Airén Average Prices
If you want a taste of Spanish white wine at a low price, Airén is definitely the way to go. The most expensive bottles of single-varietal (which are also pretty high quality) will set you back about $20. However, you can easily find a decent bottle of Airén for about $5-15.
Fun Facts About Airén
In the Canary Islands, Airén is known as “Burra Blanca” or “White Donkey” – perhaps due to its reputation as a workhorse wine!
Airén’s home is the region of Castilla La Mancha, a landscape made famous by the classic Spanish novel Don Quixote.
Airén plantings have decreased sharply in recent years; in 2004, they covered 753,350 acres, but in 2011, they only covered 539,544 acres.
