What food should I pair with Albariño?

POV: You just brought home a bottle of Sauvage Spectrum’s 2023 Albariño and are wondering what to pair it with. Good news! Albariño is one of the most food-friendly white wines you can find, making it almost “oops-proof.”

We get asked all the time, “What is Albariño?”

Albariño is a grape that originated in the Iberian Peninsula, namely Spain and Portugal. Some of the oldest Albariño vines are said to be up to 300 years old. 

Here in the Grand Valley, we grow our Albariño grapes in our Sifón Vineyard, which is east of the tasting room. These grapes are farmed on alluvial soils mixed with larger volcanic strata. A properly managed, umbrella-like canopy allows for just the right air flow and dappled sunlight onto the clusters to achieve maximum quality. 

Two picks on the vineyard resulted in two separate wines blended together for the ultimate expression. A less ripe pick displays green apple notes, while the later pick adds texture and a honey flavor. 

The wine is fermented in stainless steel, and the result is a white wine that is crisp and refreshing with a bright acidity and a whisper of minerality. You’ll find notes of green apple skin, sweet melon, and honeycomb that round out its medium-light textured body. 

Albariño is food-friendly and, like Sauvignon Blanc, easy to pair with grilled meats, salads, and cheeses. Here are some menu suggestions for the foodies and the “grubhubbers.”

Albariño Food Pairing Suggestions For the Foodies

You love to cook, you have 43 knives for different uses, and you know exactly what they are used for. Pair this wine with these classics:

• Grilled Caesar Salad
• Paella
• Rocky Mountain Trout

Albariño Food Pairing Suggestions For the grubhubbers

If cooking isn’t your thing or you find yourself traveling with no kitchen, order up one of these dishes to pair with a bottle of Sauvage Spectrum 2023 Albariño:

• Pad Thai, Thai Coconut Soup, or Green Curry
• Blackened Chicken and Dirty Rice or Seafood Gumbo
• Good old-fashioned charcuterie board, heavy on the soft cheeses and spicy meats

Bonus: Dessert Option

Charred Palisade Peaches with Goat Cheese

Palisade peaches are ideal for this recipe as they are “freestone” peaches, meaning that when you cut them in half, the pit is easily removed. Avoid overly ripe peaches (use them for jams or puree and mix with Sauvage Spectrum’s Sparklet White to make a fizzy bellini) as they will turn mushy on the grill.

Ingredients

2 Firm Palisade Peaches

Olive Oil for brushing

4 oz Goat Cheese or Burrata cheese

Preparation

• Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 375°F) or medium-low heat if using a charcoal grill after the fire has died down slightly.
• Clean and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
• Cut the peaches in half lengthwise and remove the pits.
• Brush the cut sides of the peaches with olive oil.

Grilling

• Place the peaches cut-side down on the preheated grill.
• Grill for 4-6 minutes, or until grill marks appear and the peaches begin to soften.
• Flip the peaches and continue cooking for another 2-5 minutes.

Serving

• Top with goat cheese or burrata and serve immediately.

 

Order a bottle (or 3!) of Sauvage Spectrum’s Albariño today from our online store.