Light-bodied, fresh and with mouth-watering acidity, Albariño is an indigenous white grape variety from the Iberian Peninsula, popular worldwide for its crisp citrus, stone fruit, light floral flavours and saline edge.
Albariños can be ageworthy too, developing notes like preserved lemon and honey while gaining concentration, additional body and creaminess – particularly for wines aged on their lees during the winemaking process.
Primarily grown in Spain and Portugal, where it’s known as Alvarinho, Albariño has made its mark globally, as showcased by recent Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) results, with medal-winning wines emerging from New Zealand and Uruguay.
The maritime-influenced region of Rías Baixas in Galicia, northwest Spain, however, is the heartland of Albariño, and dominated the 2025 competition with one Platinum and more Gold medals.
Scroll down to discover 15 Albariño wines to try from DWWA 2025
This year’s highlight however, was the Best in Show winning wine from Vinho Verde, which judges described as a ‘benchmark example’ with an impressive palate. Vinho Verde also claimed four Golds for varietal or Alvarinho dominant wines, one of which made it to the 30 Top Value Golds list (wines under £15), a testament to the variety’s quality and versatility.
DWWA Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW said, ‘You can get wine from extraordinary places, but I’m going to tell you about Spain because that’s, I think, the most exciting country in Europe. In the rainy and cold Atlantic in northwest Spain, all around Galicia, there are so many different wines to find. Just remember Galicia or the Mediterranean coast. You can’t go wrong.’
To celebrate Albariño Day on 1 August, explore 15 DWWA 2025 award-winning wines to try from Spain and beyond. Discover many more on our results site at awards.decanter.com
Albariño Day: 15 award-winning wines to try
Best in Show
Soalheiro, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2024
Best in Show, 97 points
Our Portuguese panel has been alive to the vibe from Moncão et Melgaço in Vinho Verde for some years now (with a Best in Show in our 2021 competition), so it was gratifying to see this benchmark example cruise its way back into this year’s selection. ‘Green’ is often an insult in winemaking terms, but in Portugal’s granite-soiled Vinho Verde (‘green wine’) region, it’s a prerequisite. The joy of Alvarinho, of course, is that it adds an extra aromatic note of floral charm here (apricots are more typical in Galicia), so your journey into the wine is as much journey into flower garden as it is forest glade. The palate is impressive: there’s nothing slender or shivering about it, nor does it rely on sweet tweaks. Instead it’s svelte and textured, with density to match the wine’s natural drive and freshness. Its 12.5% is low enough to make it a white to drink, not to sip … with or without food: this wine would make both a quenching aperitif and a perfect summer-salad white. Alcohol 12.5%
New Zealand
Yealands Estate, Single Vineyard Albarino, Awatere Valley, Marlborough 2024
Silver, 93 points
Enticing varietal bouquet with blossom, white peach and citrus characters. Densely fruited with a juicy palate and long finish. Charming. Alc 13.5%
Portugal
Anselmo Mendes, Pingo Doce, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2024
Gold, 95 points
Alive with lemon verbena, coriander herbs and white flowers that dance over the nose and palate, refined by a firm, mineral structure and citrus zest acidity. Alc 12.5%
Casal Ventozela, Azul Marinho, Vinho Verde 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
A wonderful varietal showcase of ripe pear, peach, apricot and mandarin aroma with a riveting herbaceous complexity and supple citrus acidity. Long, elegant and rewarding. Alc 12.5%
Provam, Varanda Do Conde, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2024
Value Gold, 95 points
Inviting acacia florals, crushed herbs and juicy white peaches intertwine with a tangy nerve of acidity and a gorgeous saline mineral character which persists towards the long finish. Alc 13%
Quinta de Paços, Unfiltered, Monção e Melgaço, Vinho Verde 2020
Gold, 95 points
Thriving with yellow apple, peach and white flower notes which spill out onto complex structure, gifted with mouth-watering lime zest acidity and a precise mineral finish. Alc 13.5%
Spain
Adegas Valmiñor, Rías Baixas 2024
Platinum, 97 points
Elaborate swirls of lime, lemon, passionfruit and white peach entice the nose whilst the pristine purity of acidity and mineral freshness disarms the terroir-driven palate. Salty, linear and tangy, demonstrating Atlantic style at its best. Alc 13%
Bodegas Aquitania, Bernon, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 96 points
Emanating Atlantic Ocean zeal and drive; bursting with peach, pear, apricot and orange blossom perfume, with salivating acidity and a progressive mineral structure. Long and expressive. Alc 13%
Vía Barrosa, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 96 points
Filled with energy and enthusiasm: lifted flinty florals intertwine with capacious apricots, peaches and citrus. Fulsome and rounded with zesty acidity and a succulent salty finish. Alc 12.5%
Bodega Davide, 2º Año, Rías Baixas 2024
Gold, 95 points
Ebullient passionfruit, peach, apricot and grapefruit aromas frolic across the nose, lining the broad, generous palate. Crisp and rasping with a salty twist at the end. Alc 13%
Pazo de Rubianes, García de Caamaño, Rías Baixas 2021
Gold, 95 points
Lithe and nimble notes of lily and peach blossom invigorate the welcoming spritz on the palate, and infuse the appealing tangerine acidity. Crisp and long. Alc 13.5%
Maior de Mendoza, 3 Crianzas, Rías Baixas 2021
Silver, 94 points
Perfumed and refined, with rose petals, peaches and citrus fruit aromas on the nose. Showing tension and a salty finish. Alc 12%
Martín Códax, Arousa, Rías Baixas 2022
Silver, 94 points
Refined, with peachy fruit aromas and notes of lemon blossom and lime juice. Bright and lively acidity, elegant and pure. Alc 12.5%
Uruguay
Altos de Jose Ignacio, Reserva 2024
Silver, 94 points
Peachy nose with aromas of wet stones, citrus zest, white pepper and yellow flowers. Ripe palate, with a lovely tension. Alc 13%
Bodega Garzón, Reserva 2024
Silver, 94 points
Lovely floral lift, stone fruit character and salty undertones. The palate is rich with a lovely acid core. Saline finish. Alc 13%
