Galicia

Galicia lies in the rain-soaked north-western corner of Spain, famed for its tradition of seafood, its picturesque estuaries on the Atlantic coast and its lush green valleys covered with steep, terraced vineyards. The region is best known for Albariño, peach-scented whites that beautifully partner the local seafood. Galicia is home to five DO appellations Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Monterrei, Rias Baixas with the latter the most famous of them all. Albariño is the region’s signature grape, usually made as a modern, mouth-watering white without barrel fermentation. Other varieties include Godello, Treixadura, Loureira and Torrontés, which produce crisp, aromatic, refreshing whites. The highly-promising Mencía (usually made as a single varietal wine) and, to a lesser extent, Garnacha, Caíño, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon produce fruity, red Joven and Crianza wines ideal for early drinking. Recommended producers: Benito Santos, Rafael Palacios, Pazo de Señoráns, Belondrade y Lurton