07/14/08 Email Questions

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and on today's program we are answering questions from the email. Recently a listener wrote to ask "I have been reading about this white wine from Spain called Albarino  it is supposed to be all the rage for the summer. What can you tell me about it?" I have been mentioning the Spanish white wine Albarino on our program every summer for several years now. It doesn't surprise me last year when it finally began making an impression in the mainstream wine press. This is a wine with lovely perfume and reminds many wine lovers of Viognier. With the increased popularity of Viognier it is logical that Albarino would come back into favor as well. Wines are like everything else certain grape varieties and styles fall in and out of fashion all of the time. Remember when the bigger and gooey a Chardonnay was the better. Yeah well now the rage is Chardonnay with no oak! Albarino is a unique, small berried, white grape from the northwest of Spain, which is where a great many fine white wines made. This wine Albarino is always in style for me  yes, especially in the hot summer. It is full of nice crisp acid, and perfumed fruitiness, and it is light and very easy to drink, a perfect match to chilled shellfish. Some of these wines age well and taste excellent even after five or more years of cellaring. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda to vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's vine to wine.