Lorraine Williamson
For years, Galicia’s misty valleys and windswept coasts have whispered of a secret—one bottled in pale gold and kissed by the Atlantic breeze. Now, that secret has been uncorked for the world to savour. The Paco & Lola Prime 2021 Albariño, from the Rías Baixas region, has not only been crowned Spain’s best white wine by the Guía de Vinos Gourmets 2025 but also nominated among the finest wines on the planet.
This recognition marks a turning point for Galicia, a land better known for pilgrim trails and rugged coastlines than its vineyards. Yet wine lovers have long known that these green hills produce something extraordinary—fresh, aromatic, and unmistakably shaped by the sea.
The taste of Galicia in a glass
To drink a Galician Albariño is to taste the region itself. There’s a whisper of salt from the nearby Atlantic, a mineral bite born from granite-rich soils, and soft floral notes carried from surrounding forests. The balance is delicate yet confident—an echo of Galicia’s landscape, both wild and refined.
The Paco & Lola Prime 2021 embodies that harmony. With crisp acidity and a bouquet of citrus, peach, and white flowers, it captures the cool, coastal character that defines Rías Baixas wines. Each sip feels like standing on a Galician clifftop, where sea spray mingles with mountain air.
The Albariño grape: Galicia’s pride
Spain is famed for its reds—from Rioja’s Tempranillo to Ribera del Duero’s bold blends. However, it’s Albariño that now leads a quiet revolution. Native to Galicia, this small, thick-skinned grape thrives in the damp Atlantic climate. It yields wines that are elegant yet vibrant, perfect companions to seafood, especially Galicia’s famed mussels, clams, and octopus.
The rise of Albariño is reshaping Spain’s white wine reputation abroad. What was once a regional treasure is now a global ambassador of Spanish freshness and finesse.
Recognised by Spain’s most prestigious wine guide
The Guía de Vinos Gourmets 2025 represents the benchmark for Spanish wine evaluation. As the guide itself notes, “desde su primera edición en 1983 se mantiene fiel a su filosofía y metodología, es la única del mercado que cata a ciegas, para ofrecer a sus lectores una opinión objetiva de los vinos que contiene.” Every vintage is tasted blind by a panel of expert sommeliers and oenologists to ensure objectivity. In this edition, 4,315 wines were assessed, and 2,367 achieved a place in the Cuadro de Honor (scoring over 90 points). This reflects the growing prestige of Spanish winemaking nationwide.
Beyond the numbers, the guide highlights the changing face of Spain’s wine landscape: the rise of premium whites, a renewed focus on terroir and micro-zones, and a movement toward authenticity in every glass. For Paco & Lola, earning top recognition from this guide confirms that Albariño is not just a local favourite, but a national and international symbol of quality and craft.
Where tradition meets innovation
At the heart of this success lies Paco & Lola, a cooperative winery in Meaño, in the Val do Salnés subregion. Founded with a commitment to sustainability and community, it brings together more than 400 local growers. Here, old-world respect for the vine meets cutting-edge winemaking.
Young enologists experiment with temperature-controlled fermentation and precise blending, but never stray from Albariño’s soul. The result is a wine that feels both deeply rooted and unmistakably modern—a mirror of Galicia’s evolving identity.
A boost for Galicia’s wine tourism
The international spotlight on Paco & Lola Prime 2021 is more than a personal triumph; it’s a win for the entire region. Galicia’s enotourism industry is blossoming, with travellers swapping cathedrals for vineyards and walking trails for tasting rooms. Wineries are opening their doors to visitors eager to pair wine with scenery, culture, and cuisine.
For locals, this newfound recognition translates into pride and opportunity. It’s proof that Galicia’s quiet persistence—its refusal to conform to Spain’s better-known wine regions—has finally paid off.
Where to find it
The Paco & Lola Prime 2021 can be found across Spain for around €19–20 per bottle. It is available in boutique wine shops and directly at the winery in Meaño. Abroad, demand has pushed prices slightly higher, with bottles in northern Europe retailing between €20–30. It can also be found in the UK through multiple online wine retailers. Vinissimus UK offers the wine for around £21.32 per bottle, with fast delivery within 24–48 hours and free shipping above £200.
For many, that´s a small indulgence for a wine that distils a whole region’s character into one elegant pour.
A toast to Galicia’s future
The rise of Galicia’s Albariño signals a broader awakening. Spanish white wines are no longer the understated cousins of their red counterparts—they are now global contenders. As Albariño continues to earn praise from critics and delight drinkers, it cements its place as a symbol of Galicia’s soul: authentic, untamed, and unforgettable.
So, next time you raise a glass of Albariño, you’re not just tasting a wine. You’re toasting centuries of craft, the salt of the Atlantic, and a region basking in its well-earned moment of glory.
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