Bodegas Albamar Finca O Pereiro Albariño 2023

Region and Vineyards

This Albariño hails from the Rías Baixas region in Galicia, Spain, specifically from the sub-region of O Salnés, renowned for its Albariño wines. Located close to the Atlantic coast, the region enjoys a cool, maritime climate with frequent coastal breezes that help moderate temperatures and prevent disease. The terroir combines clay soils layered over sand, which contributes to the wine’s saline minerality and vibrant acidity. This vineyard's proximity to the ocean lends a unique coastal character to the Albariño grapes, imbuing them with a distinct freshness.

The Finca O Pereiro vineyard spans just one hectare and consists of 35-year-old vines grown organically. Organic farming is a particular challenge in this humid, rainy region, yet Bodegas Albamar persists with this natural approach, contributing to the wine’s purity and expression of place. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested, preserving their delicate flavors and natural acidity, while the old vines yield intensely concentrated fruit.

Winemaking

The Finca O Pereiro Albariño is crafted exclusively from Albariño grapes, harvested by hand and processed with meticulous attention to detail. The grapes undergo a spontaneous, whole-cluster fermentation using native yeasts—a rare method in this region—that enhances the wine's depth and complexity. Fermentation and subsequent aging take place in stainless steel tanks, which preserve the freshness and clarity of the Albariño.

The wine is aged sur lie for 12 months, giving it added texture and richness without the use of oak. Only a minimal amount of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is added at bottling, and the wine undergoes slight filtration, with no fining, ensuring a natural expression of the vineyard. This winemaking approach highlights the grape’s inherent qualities while maintaining the region's distinctive saline minerality and brightness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw with a bright, clear rim.
• Aroma: Aromas of green apple, citrus zest, and oceanic salt, intertwined with hints of white flowers and wet stone.
• Palate: Crisp and mouthwatering with a prominent saline minerality, featuring layers of lemon, lime, and a touch of peach. The texture is rounded yet vibrant, leading to a long, refreshing finish.

Did you know?

Winemaker Xurxo Alba works from a cellar adjacent to his family’s restaurant and artisan food shop in Cambados, Galicia, where Albariño is a way of life. Bodegas Albamar began bottling its wines in 2006, marking a new chapter in their multi-generational Albariño legacy.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Galician Octopus (Pulpo a la Gallega): The wine's saline notes and citrus freshness complement the tender, slightly smoky octopus and its garnish of sea salt and olive oil.
• Oysters with Mignonette: The crisp acidity and minerality of the Albariño are a natural match for the briny, delicate flavors of fresh oysters.
• Grilled Sardines with Lemon and Herbs: The wine's acidity cuts through the richness of sardines, while its citrus notes enhance the lemon and herbs.
• Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla Española): The savory, creamy notes of the tortilla pair beautifully with the Albariño's freshness, creating a balanced and satisfying combination.

History of Bodegas Albamar

Founded in 2006 by Xurxo Alba, Bodegas Albamar represents the Alba family’s deep roots in winemaking within the Rías Baixas region. Xurxo’s family has cultivated Albariño vines for generations in O Salnés, Rías Baixas, but it was Xurxo’s passion and oenological studies that led him to establish their own wine label. Xurxo Alba’s approach combines respect for Galician winemaking traditions with a drive to push the boundaries of quality and authenticity, showcasing Albariño’s full potential in single-vineyard and experimental bottlings.

Bodegas Albamar remains firmly rooted in Cambados, a town known as the "heart of Albariño." With vineyards next to his family’s restaurant and artisanal food shop, Xurxo’s connection to the land and sea runs deep. His work focuses on minimal intervention, relying on organic practices in the vineyard and native yeasts in the cellar. Over time, Albamar has expanded its offerings, producing Albariños and reds like Mencía that express both the freshness and complex minerality of Galicia.

Region and Vineyards

Bodegas Albamar’s vineyards are located in Rías Baixas, specifically in the sub-region of O Salnés, and some in the steep, terraced hills of Ribeira Sacra. The Rías Baixas vineyards, set on granite-rich soils near the Atlantic Ocean, benefit from cool coastal breezes, providing Albariño grapes with natural acidity, vibrant freshness, and a distinctive saline character. Meanwhile, in Ribeira Sacra, the challenging terrain of granite and schist soils on steep slopes offers ideal conditions for Mencía, producing wines with purity, finesse, and depth.

The Alba family owns around 2.5 hectares but sources additional grapes from neighboring plots in the O Salnés and Ribeira Sacra regions. All vineyards are cultivated organically, respecting both the environment and the traditional practices of Galicia.

Wine Range

Bodegas Albamar’s portfolio centers around Albariño in multiple expressions, from single-vineyard bottlings to unique cuvées that highlight specific terroirs within Rías Baixas. Wines like Alma de Mar, Pepe Luis, and Sesenta e Nove Arrobas exemplify Albariño’s versatility, with each wine showcasing distinct elements of minerality, salinity, and fruit character. Additionally, Albamar produces a red wine, Fusco, a fresh, mineral-driven Mencía that captures the essence of Ribeira Sacra’s terroir.

Each wine is crafted with a minimal intervention philosophy: spontaneous fermentation, no oak or neutral oak aging, and careful handling with low to no sulfites. Xurxo’s focus is to produce wines that are expressive, pure, and true to their origin.

Did you know?

The name Albamar plays on Xurxo’s love for the sea, as it translates to "white by the sea." This connection to the ocean is not only symbolic but also defines his winemaking style—fresh, saline, and vibrant wines that reflect Galicia’s unique coastal terroir.