Galicia's Atlantic coast in a glass: taut, saline Albariño from the historic heart of Rías Baixas.

Mar de Frades sits on the slopes of Monte Valiñas, looking out over the Ría de Arousa in the Val do Salnés, the sub-zone where Albariño built its reputation. Sea breezes and granite-sand soils do most of the work here, giving the wines their mineral edge and unmistakable salinity.

Founded in 1987, a year before Rías Baixas became a DO, the estate has grown up alongside the region. Winemaker Paula Fandiño keeps the approach deliberately restrained: hand-harvesting, strict selection, minimal intervention. They were also first to make a sparkling Albariño when the appellation allowed it.

The result is Albariño with tension: citrus and white flowers, a lively palate, a dry, faintly salty finish. Perfect with oysters, grilled prawns or a plate of pulpo, and just as good chilled on its own.