International Albariño Day is observed every year on August 1st to celebrate the Albariño grape, a white wine variety known for its fresh, fruity taste. This grape has been grown for centuries in northwest Spain (Galicia) and northern Portugal (Monção and Melgaço). In Spain, it’s called Albariño, and in Portugal, it’s known as Alvarinho. Both names come from a Latin word meaning “white.”
For a long time, people believed Albariño was brought to the region by Cistercian monks from France, possibly from the Cluny order, in the 12th century. However, newer studies show that the grape likely originated in the Iberian Peninsula itself. In Spain, Albariño is the main grape used in Rías Baixas, a well-known wine region. In Portugal, Alvarinho is most famous in the Vinho Verde area and is sometimes blended with other local grapes.
Albariño wine is light and high in acidity, often with flavors and aromas of peach, apricot, and citrus. It pairs well with seafood and is popular for its clean, refreshing taste. The grape has thick skins and many seeds, which can sometimes give the wine a slightly bitter finish.
In recent years, Albariño has gained popularity outside of Europe. It is now grown in parts of the United States, especially California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as in Uruguay. International Albariño Day encourages people to learn about this unique grape, taste wines made from it, and appreciate its connection to the food and culture of the regions where it first developed.
🍷 Did you know that we have a complete list of 70 wine-related national days on Digital Hygge? Check it out to discover which wines people celebrate throughout the year.
The Origins of International Albariño Day
International Albariño Day was founded by Ryan Opaz, co-founder of Catavino, an online resource dedicated to Spanish and Portuguese wines. The day was established to promote and celebrate the Albariño grape, which produces one of Spain’s most famous white wines.
When Is International Albariño Day?
International Albariño Day is celebrated annually on August 1st. Here are the dates for the day up to the year 2030:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, August 1 |
| 2026 | Saturday, August 1 |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 1 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, August 1 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, August 1 |
| 2030 | Thursday, August 1 |
These dates will help you plan your celebrations and make sure you never miss the chance to enjoy a glass of Albariño wine.
10 Fun Facts About Albariño Wine
Here are some key facts to help you better understand Albariño wine—its origins, flavor profile, and growing popularity around the world:
- Outside Europe, Albariño is grown in the U.S., Uruguay, and Australia, although early Australian plantings were mistakenly identified and turned out to be a different grape, Savagnin.
- Albariño has thick grape skins, which help protect it from the damp, coastal climate of Galicia in northwest Spain.
- The wine is known for its fresh, fruity aroma, often featuring notes of peach, apricot, citrus, and delicate floral hints.
- It’s sometimes called the “Wine of the Sea” because it comes from coastal areas and pairs especially well with seafood.
- In Portugal, Albariño is known as Alvarinho, and it’s grown mainly in the Monção and Melgaço subregions of Vinho Verde.
- Albariño is best enjoyed young, while its bright acidity and fruit-forward character are at their peak.
- Spain’s Rías Baixas region is the main producer, with over 4,000 hectares (about 10,000 acres) dedicated to Albariño vines.
- The United States is the top export market for Albariño wines from Rías Baixas, reflecting growing international interest.
- Albariño is typically made in a dry style, but some winemakers experiment with off-dry, sparkling, or barrel-aged versions.
- The grape’s naturally high acidity makes it refreshing and food-friendly, especially with shellfish and grilled fish dishes.
How to Celebrate International Albariño Day
- Invite friends over for an Albariño wine tasting. Include different vintages and producers to explore the range of flavors.
- Plan a seafood feast featuring dishes like shrimp, oysters, and scallops, all perfectly paired with Albariño.
- If possible, visit a vineyard that produces Albariño. Learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a tour and tasting.
- Learn more about the Rías Baixas wine region by watching this amazing episode by V is for Vino Wine Show dedicated to Albariño:
- Experiment with Albariño-based cocktails. Its crisp acidity and fruitiness make it a great base for creative drinks.
- Share your Albariño Day celebrations on social media using the hashtag #InternationalAlbariñoDay. Post pictures, tasting notes, and pairing suggestions to join the global community of Albariño enthusiasts.
These ideas will ensure that your International Albariño Day is filled with enjoyment, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for this exceptional wine.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
📝 This article was originally published on July 25th, 2024. It has been thoroughly updated, and the publishing date has been changed to reflect the new version.
