The albariño grape variety is best known from Spain and Portugal (alvarinho) where it produces refreshing wines with a citrus tang. But it is not allowed in France. This is about to change. Earlier this month the new list of permitted grape varieties was published and albariño is on it, one of the surprise newcomers. It has been added on the initiative of some Languedoc producers who put it up for inclusion (rumour has it that it was added in record time – not much more than three weeks!). It is hoped that this may become a new signature grape for the Languedoc. The well known négociant house and winemaker Laurent Miquel is one of the producers who is in the starting blocks to plant it in 2010, so we can perhaps expect a first taste in 2012.
