2010 Vela Blanca Rias Boixas Albarino, 2010 Raimat Albarino

Jane Faulker has said in her Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum column October 6 2012 that the 2011 Vela Blanca Albarino was uncomplicated, zingy, vibrant and acidic; sea-salty, herbacious, floral. The Clunes Cellar (NSW North Coast, Northern Rivers, Australia,  under the new bottleshop ownership = a winemaker) sells it for $20.For me and my drinking companion, it was golden in colour (surprisingly - but perhaps Albrino ages),  still smelling of green apples, not as severe as the Raimat 2010 Albarino,  but still tart (and acidic). However, it has ginger on the very tip of the end palate, and even golden syrup high in the mouth, though not at all sweet. The Vela Blanca is the better Albarino. The 2010 Raimat (available at Dan Murphy's, Lismore) is a medium lemon gold in colour, with a lime/lemon and green apple aroma - very fragrant.  But it is very dry/astringent, severe in the mouth: it does need food such as fish and chips, oysters, sardines, white bait. Looking at Albarion? Go for the Vela Blanca, with its  'boldy blue ... child-like design' ( Jane Faulkner). Raimat has a very serious, non-evocative label: Behave! it says.