Ep 259 - Albariño from Rías Baixas with Aran Álvarez of Martín Códax: One Grape, It’s Many Wine Styles & Atlantic Terroir

Ep 259 - Albariño from Rías Baixas with Aran Álvarez of Martín Códax: One Grape, It’s Many Wine Styles & Atlantic Terroir

April 27, 2026 · 58 min · Episode 275

About this episode

Janina Doyle explores the diverse expressions of Albariño wine from Rías Baixas with winemaker Aran Álvarez.

In this episode of Eat Sleep Wine Repeat, Janina heads to the Atlantic coast of Galicia in Spain to explore one of the most exciting wine regions for white wines: Rías Baixas. Joined by winemaker Aran Álvarez from Martín Códax, this episode is a deep dive into Albariño from Rías Baixas - one of the most expressive white wine grapes in the world. From terroir and climate to winemaking techniques, lees ageing, sparkling styles, orange wine and even noble rot, this episode explores just how many different expressions one grape can create. If you want to learn about wine, understand how wine styles are shaped, and get inspired for your next wine travel destination, this episode is for you. 04:11 – Val do Salnés explained — the heart of Albariño and a key Atlantic wine region. 05:47 – Climate change — shifting rainfall patterns and their impact on vineyards. 06:46 – Pergola (emparrado) training — the traditional system adapted to humidity. 11:18 – Atlantic influence — how proximity to the ocean shapes salinity and freshness. 13:03 – A benchmark Albariño — fresh, saline and beautifully balanced; try Martín Códax Albariño (Rías Baixas) 15:12 – Granitic soils — drainage, organic matter…

People in this episode

Host: Janina Doyle

Guest: Aran Álvarez

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Martín Códax

Places: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Val do Salnés, Atlantic, Spain

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