Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain, White wines

Martín Códax Albariño 2008

10/26/201001/23/2013 Vera C.

Winemaker: N/A
Grape: 100% Albariño
Region: Rias Baixas, Spain

Martín Códax Albariño takes its name from a 13th century Galician minstrel whose poems evoke the gallant love and passion for the sea. The canticles by “Martín Códax” are the oldest of all the Galician-Portuguese poems to preserve their original music.The manuscript, known as the “Vindel Parchment”, is preserved in the Morgan Library in New York. When you uncork the bottle, there are a little notes printed on the cork (I don’t know for sure if it’s the part of the original manuscript though…)

Albariño is number one drank white wine in Spain, considered as one of the finest white wines in the world. Martín Códax ‘s vineyards average 30 years old vines and are located in Rias Baixas in Southern Spain.

It is the region around the river that separates Spain and Portugal. This region produces some of the most aromatic wines.

Tasting notes:
Pale straw yellow in color, this wine has a complex, well integrated aroma of apricots, nuts, honey and apples. Light to medium bodied, it offers dry, subtle flavors of tart lemon, grapefruit, melon and green apples. It is wonderfully balanced with plenty of crisp acidity and a good citrus finish.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 20.00

Ideal food pairing:
seafood salad, shrimp in mustard sauce, Paella, Aromatic chicken with limes and oranges, Chinese food, Indian food,

4 thoughts on “Martín Códax Albariño 2008”

John Hager says:

03/23/2019 at 9:47 am

Vera, thank you for the background on the musical script on the Martin Codax corks. Martin Codax Albariño is indeed the perfect wine for many seafood dishes. The domestic version in Spain in dark bottles is slightly different from the export version in clear glass bottles, and it has a slightly more fruity yet not sweet taste that we prefer in this excellent dry white wine that I myself prefer over all other white wines for stone crabs, lobster, prawns, fish, etc.

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1. Vera C. says:
  
  03/23/2019 at 11:40 am
  
  Thank you, John! Yes indeed, this Albariño is one of my most favorite Spanish whites as well. I’m excited you came across such an old review of this wine, that I used to sell when wine rep in America. Although we went a long way, it’s still a shame how many Americans go for “proven favorites” that they know such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc in white wines – and are missing out on these exciting varieties they might not be as familiar with. I regret we didn’t make it to Rías Baixas while touring my favorite vineyards back in 2008 on my unforgettable business trip to Spain !!!
  
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  1. John Hager says:
    
    03/23/2019 at 12:27 pm
    
    We were at Martin Codax several years ago and it was well worth visiting the bodega. I hope you can one day. Do you know if it’s possible to obtain the Albariño in dark bottles anyplace here in south FL?
    
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  2. Vera C. says:
    
    03/23/2019 at 3:54 pm
    
    I don’t know, to be honest… but I can try to check it out. I’m no longer in the professional wine business (which doesn’t prevent me from being a wine aficionado for life :). I’ll definitely try to find out and let you know.
    
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