Vionta Albariño, Rias Baixis, 2010 Limited Release, Spain with Pan-roasted Passmore Ranch sturgeon:
The Albariño grape has grown in Galicia for centuries. Some say it’s a cousin to Riesling from Germany’s Mosel region. Others maintain it’s indigenous to Galicia, where some of the nation’s finest white wines are made. The Albariño grape loves the shallow and sandy soils of Galicia, and at its best makes a remarkably floral wine with good acidity and lingering flavors. This one opens with a mild lemon flavor as hints of melon take hold along with grapefruit, apricot and a touch of floral notes on the nose. It’s crisp and refreshing with balanced acidity and minerality on the palate with a long, creamy lemony finish.
Where to find it:
Lounge ON20 in midtown Sacramento (loungeon20.com) and BevMo (bevmo.com) throughout the region.
What to eat with this wine:
Chef Pajo Bruich recommends pan-roasted Passmore Ranch sturgeon with sweet corn, white polenta, passion fruit “caviar,” prosciutto, mushroom escabeche and herb pistou.