Rías Baixas, Salnés, the cradle of the Albariño


Rias Baixas, Salnés in the cradle of Albariño




Pazo Baión, vineyards
On the shores of the Atlantic, between the estuaries of Arosa and Pontevedra , extends a fertile territory that has maintained and adapt its centennial winemaking tradition to contemporary tastes. Traditionally land of red wines produced from grapes like Espadeiro , Red Caiño , Loureiro ... however, it has seen its rebirth from the white grape variety Albariño , to produce some of the most popular white wines not only nationally but also international , being critically acclaimed.






 
   



Ideal to pair with seafood, in recent years the introduction of new processing methods , such as barrel fermentation or lees makes them very conducive to pair with a wider range of dishes .
The presence of the vineyards on the coast , and its proximity to the sea , gives these wines a salinity which together with its acidity and freshness . The result are very popular wines among the most diverse consumers.





Pazo Baión, Testing room
In Salnés, among its arround 40 wineries,  there are currently two ways to make wine, one which is more commercial, but preserving quality and aimed at a wider audience, where Martin Codax, flagship of the area, could be a good example; whereas, in another hand, there is a more traditional way of making wine, in which Forjas do Salnes could be a very good example.
The fishing village of Cambados hosts one of the most emblematic and old wineries from the region, Pazo de Fefiñanes, whose palatial architecture well worth a visit. There you can taste interesting white wine from Albariño grape, paying attention to the 1583 fermented on its own lees*. Just 15 minutes it is located Pazo Baión, another palatial example from the architecture of the rural area and surrounded by a stunning setting. Not far away, the winery  Mar de Frades show us in a wild environment its modern and futuristic architecture; and giving us at the same time the counterpoint of contemporary design to the Galician rural architecture from the Baroque period. There we can enjoy white wines based on Albariño grape, and as a  curiosity its Brut Nature 100 % of the same variety produced through the "Champenoise Method".



Zarate, barrels in the shed

Zarate is one of the best representatives of the artisanal trend which we referred before, with a superb selection of both red wines made ​​from traditional varieties (Espadeiro, Caiño, Loureiro ... ) and white Albariño. The winery is settle in a property with pretty much charm, a Manor House which was built in the sixteenth century and completely rebuilt in the XVIII, and without any doubt worth a leisurely visit .



Pazo Fefiñanes, testing room

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