How well does Albariño age in the bottle?

Among the many myths about white wines is the belief that they should be consumed in the year they’re released and that they only pair with seafood or shellfish. Indeed, many consumers think only red wines should be cellared and that only red wines continue to age and improve in the bottle over time. Thankfully, these beliefs are slowly vanishing, especially for wines from Rias Baixas.

Many factors influence the evolution of a wine. The grape variety, winemaking, alcohol content and pH levels are among the aspects that will determine if a wine will age properly over time.

Given these factors, only a few white grape varieties have the appropiate characteristics to age ideally the way Albarino can. Albarino’s acidity, along with the slowness to ripen and a low pH level, grants it age-worthiness.

The winemaking process is critical for aging potential. Lees aging in our Santiago Ruiz and Rosa Ruiz wines provide them with structure, body and aromatic complexity. At the same time, lees aging improves the wines’ stability and reduces the risk of oxidation. All of this contributes to a longer aging potential.

An Albarino can be enjoyed up to five years after being bottled, if stored properly. This means storing the bottle horizontally, in an area with controlled temperature and humidity, away from the light.