Bodegas Martín Códax: Different Shades of Albariño at Rías Baixas
Founded in 1985 in Cambados, the heart of the Val do Salnés, Bodegas Martín Códax pays homage to one of Galicia’s most renowned medieval poets, Martín Códax. This celebrated troubadour’s preserved poems, sung in the Galician-Portuguese language, reflect themes of love and a deep connection to the sea, a sentiment that resonates with the winery’s own spirit. Since its founding, Bodegas Martín Códax has grown from the dream of a small group of winegrowers into an esteemed cooperative that champions the Albariño grape. Today, the winery’s reach extends beyond borders, promoting Galician culture and its wines in over 50 countries worldwide.
Bodegas Martín Códax stands as a proud representative of the Rías Baixas denomination, a region recognized for its exceptional Albariño wines. Operating as a cooperative, the winery sources grapes from approximately 550 winegrowing families who cultivate vines in the picturesque Salnés Valley. These vineyards are spread across around 1,400 parcels, many of which are located close to the Atlantic Ocean. The maritime influence, combined with the region’s granite-rich soils and innovative techniques, allows Bodegas Martín Códax to craft top-class wines under the DO Rías Baixas label. The winery’s portfolio includes three main brands: Códax, Burgáns, and Organistrum, each reflecting the distinct qualities of Albariño from this unique terroir.
Elevating Albariño: A Visionary Cooperative Winery
Bodegas Martín Códax began as a shared vision among 270 dedicated winegrowers who sought to bring Galician wines, especially Albariño, to global recognition. Over the years, the winery has flourished, backed by a growing community of grape suppliers and over 550 winegrowing families who contribute to its success. Under the guidance of ninth-generation winemaker Luciano Amoedo, Martín Códax blends modern vinification techniques with traditional practices, producing award-winning wines that reflect Galicia’s maritime terroir and cultural richness. Their innovative spirit is further demonstrated in the Pé Redondo experimental vineyard, where they explore sustainable, organic practices to continually enhance quality.
Located in the Val do Salnés, the heart of Rías Baixas, Bodegas Martín Códax balances tradition with innovation in its approach to viticulture. The winery’s Albariño grapes are cultivated on small, carefully managed parcels using the traditional “emparrado” trellising system, which maximizes airflow and sun exposure, essential for the grape’s vibrant character. Through its cooperative structure, Martín Códax fosters a collective commitment to preserving the distinct qualities of the Rías Baixas terroir.
Beyond winemaking, Martín Códax champions Galician culture, supporting local arts and sustainability initiatives. By investing in research and development, the winery continuously reduces its environmental impact and actively combats climate change. This dedication to stewardship ensures that the natural beauty and resources of the Val do Salnés are preserved for future generations.
Albariño Wine: Exploring Its Versatility and Perfect Pairings
Under the skilled direction of winemaker Katia Álvarez, who joined Martín Códax in 2005, the winery employs both traditional and modern techniques to highlight Albariño’s potential. Grapes are hand-harvested in September, carefully de-stemmed, and pressed before fermenting in stainless steel vats. Some wines, like Organistrum, are aged in French Allier oak, adding layers of complexity.
Martín Códax offers a diverse selection of Albariño wines that pair exceptionally well with various cuisines. Martín Códax Albariño, with its crisp acidity and bright fruitiness, is ideal for seafood like oysters, clams, and scallops, and also complements other simple seafood dishes. Wines like Martín Códax Lías, aged on the lees, are richer and perfect for more substantial seafood, while Finca Xieles, made from the estate’s oldest vines, pairs beautifully with grilled fish and Galician-style empanadas.
For dessert, Martín Códax Vindel, a late-harvest Albariño, pairs well with soft cheeses and light desserts, while Martín Códax Gallaecia, crafted from botrytized grapes, shines with fruit-based sweets. Finally, Martín Códax OW orange wine, made through skin fermentation, pairs beautifully with smoked meats and aged cheeses, showcasing the depth and versatility of Albariño wines from Bodegas Martín Códax.
The Terroir of Bodegas Martín Códax
In northwestern Spain, Galicia’s rugged coastline, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Cantabrian Sea, shapes a unique landscape where the ocean's influence permeates its culture, cuisine, and, notably, its wines. As Galicia’s most esteemed white wine region, Rías Baixas is celebrated for the Albariño grape, thriving in the granite-rich soils and maritime climate that define the area. Representing 99% of vineyards in the denomination, Albariño flourishes in five sub-regions: Ribeira do Ulla, Val do Salnés, Condado de Tea, O Rosal, and Soutomaior, each contributing distinct qualities that, together, give Rías Baixas wines their signature freshness and complexity.
Bodegas Martín Códax, located in the Val do Salnés sub-region, harnesses this terroir to craft Albariño wines that capture the very essence of Rías Baixas. Here, vineyards sit close to the sea, with many reaching elevations of up to 300 meters above sea level, where the influence of the Atlantic lends a distinct salinity and minerality to the wines. This maritime influence, coupled with deep, granite-rich soils, imparts a slight acidity and crispness to Albariño that is uniquely expressive of the region. Additionally, the sandy and slightly acidic soils contain layers of alluvial deposits, adding further depth and complexity to the wines, while granite's high mineral content subtly enhances Albariño’s flavors.
The traditional “emparrado” trellising system, with vines grown on pergolas, optimizes airflow and sun exposure, essential in Rías Baixas' humid climate. This cultivation technique helps protect the grapes from excessive moisture, which, along with manual harvesting, ensures the highest grape quality. Known for its compact bunches and small berries, Albariño produces wines of notable freshness and vibrant fruit flavors. In addition, Albariño's high sugar content, balanced by pronounced acidity, leads to wines with a striking balance of floral aromas and fruity notes, most notably apple, peach, and hints of citrus.
The cool and humid climate of Rías Baixas further shapes the Albariño wines of Martín Códax, with winter temperatures averaging around 10ºC and annual precipitation up to 1,200 mm, providing optimal conditions for the Albariño grape to thrive. Summers are typically less humid, allowing for even ripening that preserves the grape’s natural acidity while promoting an elegant structure. By leveraging these unique terroir characteristics, Bodegas Martín Códax crafts wines that reflect the Atlantic essence of Rías Baixas. The winery remains committed to preserving this terroir through sustainable viticultural practices, ensuring that each bottle showcases the distinct flavors of the region and embodies Galicia’s rich winemaking tradition.
Bodegas Martín Códax
Address: Burgáns 91, 36633 Vilariño, Cambados, Pontevedra, Spain
Tel: +34 986 526040
Website: https://www.martincodax.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinCodaxBodegas
