albariza

noun

al·​ba·​ri·​za ˌäl-bə-ˈrē-sə How to pronounce albariza (audio)
: a white, chalky soil of southwestern Spain in which wine grapes for sherry are grown
The region's unique chalky soil, called albariza, is rich in calcium carbonate, clay and silica, which sucks up each winter's rainfall and in turn nourishes the vines during the dry, hot summer.Laurie Levy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2000

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative from feminine of albarizo "whitish, off-white," from albar "white" + -izo, attenuating suffix

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of albariza was in 1823

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Cite this Entry

“Albariza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/albariza. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

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