Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Saturday, August 02, 2008
Wine of the Week: Martin Codax Albarino 2006
This white wine comes from the Rias Baixas region in northwestern Spain near Portugal and the Basque country. It is named after a 13th century troubadour who wrote poetry and songs about the Spanish countryside.
Albarino grapes fare well in the region, which is cool, windy and rainy — not ideal vineyard conditions.
This wine falls somewhere in between pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. It has a floral and orchard fruit aroma, but is surprisingly tart and dry. There’s a hint of apple and pear flavor, but the wine is overwhelmingly citrus and slightly bitter.
Albarino is not a wine that stands up to aging, so move this to the front of your summertime selections.
Sherry: “Tart, dry lime and grapefruit flavor.” (2.5 stars)
Chris: “Pear and citrus with a crisp, tart finish.” (2.5 stars)
Available locally for about $11.
Coming next week: Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon
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