Bodegas Benito Santos, Albariño

Spain, 2024

I still remember the first time I tasted this Albariño — it stopped me in my tracks. Bright, electric, and full of life, it was a moment of rediscovery that reminded me just how exciting this grape can be.

Albariño doesn’t always get the airtime it deserves, but along the coastal stretches of western Spain, it thrives. This bottle is from Benito Santos, a pioneer of Rías Baixas, and it shows in the sheer clarity and balance of the wine.

Organic, coastal, and bursting with citrus and salty minerality — it’s got lemon zest, grapefruit, and a saline edge that’s like sea spray in a glass. Razor-sharp and seriously refreshing, it’s a brilliant alternative if you enjoy Picpoul, Muscadet, or Chablis. Serve it chilled with oysters, grilled prawns, or anything fresh from the sea.