BURGANS RIAS BAIXAS ALBARINO 2023

Martín Códax, the largest cooperative in Rías-Baixas, demonstrates how size can enhance quality when proper vineyard and cellar practices prevail. Founded in 1986 by 50 families under Luciano Amoedo's guidance, this cooperative now encompasses nearly 600 families managing over 3,000 small Albariño parcels. Their success stems from dedicated viticulturists who educate members on sustainable farming, quality-based compensation, and innovative cellar experiments. The cooperative broadcasts daily farming advice and focuses exclusively on the Val do Salnes sub-zone—the coolest, most humid region in Rías-Baixas—where granitic, schist, and sandy soils produce Albariño with distinctive minerality.

Burgans Albariño takes its name from the hill where the cooperative stands. Selected from specific Salnes vineyard plots with vines averaging over 20 years, this wine balances characteristic stone-fruit richness with the sub-zone's renowned minerality. Following hand harvesting, the grapes undergo site-specific fermentation in stainless steel, followed by three months of lees stirring that develops texture while preserving freshness. This vegan-friendly white wine exemplifies the cooperative's commitment to quality through meticulous vineyard selection and winemaking techniques, offering an authentic expression of Albariño from its spiritual homeland in northwestern Spain.