Martín Códax Arousa 2022

Martín Códax draws this Albariño from vineyards around the Ría de Arousa on the Atlantic coast of Galicia, in Rías Baixas. The maritime climate is cool and wet, with a long growing season and constant sea influence, while the granite-based soils drain quickly and lend the wine its characteristic salinity and firm acidity. Vines are often trained high on granite posts and wires to lift the fruit off the damp ground and encourage airflow, which helps ripen the grapes fully in this humid setting. After a gentle pressing the wine spends eighteen months in stainless steel tanks, a long period on its fine lees at cool temperature that keeps the fruit fresh and primary while adding a little breadth and a subtle savoury note to the palate. The colour is pale straw with green highlights. The nose shows lemon, green apple, white peach and white flowers with a clear saline edge. The palate is crisp and mineral, the citrus fruit carried by bright acidity to a clean, salty finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees. It is a classic match for shellfish and grilled fish.