Definition of albariza
: 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
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Origin and Etymology of albariza
borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative from feminine of albarizo “whitish, off-white,” from albar “white” + -izo, attenuating suffix — more at albariño
First Known Use: 1823
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