Rías Baixas - Albariño with Attitude

Wine Blast with Susie and Peter

If Rías Baixas is famous for one thing, it's characterful, invigorating white wine based on the superstar Albariño grape - described in this episode by one winemaker as a variety that can take you, 'from the swimming pool to the Michelin-starred restaurant.'
Its blossoming popularity over recent decades has given rise to imitators all around the wine world - so what is it that makes Rías Baixas Albariño special, and why? Is there more to the story than just Albariño here? Who's doing exciting things? And what does the future hold?
In this second and concluding part of our two-parter, sponsored by DO Rías Baixas, we ask the big questions of key growers including Vicky Mareque (Pazo Señorans), Isabel Salgado (Fillaboa), Lúcia Barbosa (Adegas Galegas), Lucia Freire (Santiago Ruiz) and Natalia Rodríguez (Señorío de Rubiós). We also feature a number of outstanding wines, from Fillaboa's 1898 to Selección de Añada (2014 and 2003) by Señorans.
We cover everything from terroir, subzones, blends, experimentation, oak, climate change, competition and more. Peter goes on a breathless wander and at one point comes up with the line: 'You've been Albariñoed!' You need to listen to get the full context...
Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S5 E21 - Rías Baixas: Albariño with Attitude
Instagram: @susieandpeter

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1. Hello and welcome (00:00:05)

2. Our heads are in Rias Baixas (00:00:12)

3. To recap so far... (00:01:08)

4. Now we're going to cut to the chase (00:02:19)

5. A taster of what's coming up (00:02:52)

6. A preface for this episode inc facts and figures! (00:03:38)

7. Peter goes on a wander to set the scene... (00:07:50)

8. Stephanie Schilling evokes the feel of Rias Baixas Albarino (00:10:13)

9. What is Albariño - and why is it special here? (00:10:53)

10. Isabel Salgado interview (00:13:32)

11. Recommending Fillaboa wines (00:20:48)

12. MID-EPISODE RECAP (00:22:38)

13. What do Rias Baixas' sub-zones mean for the wines? (00:23:10)

14. Blending Albariño with other varieties in Rias Baixas (00:27:59)

15. Lúcia Barbosa interview (00:29:40)

16. Climate change in Rias Baixas (00:35:23)

17. Rias Baixas vs the Albarino competition (00:36:34)

18. The importance of ageing for Rias Baixas Albariño (00:37:25)

19. Vicky Mareque of Pazo Señorans (00:40:37)

20. Recommending Pazo Señorans wines (00:42:12)

21. How long can good Albariño age for? (00:44:52)

22. Experimentation and innovation in Rias Baixas (00:46:08)

23. On the controversial topic of oaking Albariño (00:48:20)

24. A final recommendation (00:49:53)

25. CLOSING SUMMARY (00:50:26)

26. OUTRO (00:51:17)