Mar de Frades Albariño Brut Nature NV is a very different wine from the Rías Baixas DO. It is produced by the highly regarded Mar de Frades, established in 1987. Winemaker Paula Fandiño leads the way with this distinctive bottle-fermented sparkling wine, the first of its kind in the region using the traditional method.
Made entirely from Albariño grapes, the fruit is picked early, ensuring lower sugar levels and preserving a delicate balance without tipping into excessive richness or sweetness. The wine is blended across two to three vintages to maintain a consistent character. No sugar is added during the second fermentation in the bottle, which is why it has the Brut Nature title. It comes in at 12.0% abv.
This wine truly comes into its own with a little patience. Let it sit for half an hour out of the fridge to reveal its full charm. It has a very lively stream of tiny bubbles and a pale yellow hue. The first impression is one of biscuity aromas, leading to a journey of flavour that begins with a richness reminiscent of Champagne. This gives way to a burst of fresh acidity, before tapering into a clean saline finish, with the very lively fizz dancing on the tongue. As the wine gradually warms further, it opens up into something even more expressive and more fruit-driven, echoing the familiar character of still Albariño.
It pairs seamlessly with all the, typically seafood, dishes typically matched to Albariño because it still carries the maritime essence that defines both Mar de Frades and the Rías Baixas region.
You can find it at Slurp and Vinum, priced between £24.95 and £28.50.
