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PREMIUM

Albariño beyond Iberia: panel tasting results

Its peachy fruit freshness and versatility when it comes to food pairing have been winning over weary palates for years. So, outside northwest Spain, where in the world makes the best Albariño?

Sarah Jane Evans MW, Roger Jones and Dirceu Vianna Junior MW tasted 78 wines with 3 Outstanding and 33 Highly recommended.

Albariño beyond Iberia: panel tasting scores

78 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 3

Highly recommended 33

Recommended 41

Commended 1

Fair 0

Poor 0


Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their Albariño wines – single varietal or blended with a minimum of 75% Albariño/Alvarinho – in any style, vintage or price level, from any region and country other than Spain and Portugal


Albariño is the star white variety of Galicia, and specifically of Rías Baixas. Other producers in Spain may make it, in Mediterranean and central regions, but nowhere does it do better than on the granite soils and in the maritime climate not far from the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela.


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores from the Albariño beyond Iberia panel tasting



Albariño beyond Iberia panel tasting scores


The judges

Sarah Jane Evans MW is an awarded journalist, author and broadcaster, a DWWA Co-Chair, and the chair of Spain’s Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino. Her new book The Wines of Central and Southern Spain is set for release in early 2024.

Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. He is now a wine writer, judge and consultant with a particular interest in the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities. He is a DWWA judge, with a focus on New World regions.

Dirceu Vianna Junior MW is a wine writer, consultant and educator. Moving to the UK from Brazil in 1989, he was a director at some of the UK’s top distributors, becoming a Master of Wine in 2008, then co-authoring the awarded Portuguese- language book Conheça Vinhos (‘Understanding Wine’, Editora Senac).


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