I spent last week sunning myself on the beaches of Galicia, stuffing my face with some of the best seafood I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating and washing it down with more than a few bottles of the gratifyingly easy drinking local quaff, Albariño.

Not my first time in this verdant north west corner of Spain, it was however my first visit beyond the city limits of the albeit historic but often tourist addled town of Santiago de Compostela. This time round, I was a guest of a Galician friend and her British hubbie, who – knowing my penchant to blather by blog about the things I love – have insisted I swear not to reveal their favoured restaurants, bars, beaches and other hidden Gallego gems.

Still, I reckon it’s safe to say a visit to Cape Finisterre, continental Europe’s westernmost point, and a drive along the dramatic (and dramatically named) Costa da Morte are well worth your holiday considerations. With a quick scroll of Qype’s Galica reviews, a flip through a preferred guidebook and enough knowledge of Spanish to work your way through a menu of mariscos, you should be good to go. What to bring? A strong appetite, casual clothing, a swimsuit and a light jacket … and an earnest appreciation for glowing ocean sunsets, top notch (but no fuss) Spanish cuisine and light and fruity white wine.

As much as I was hushed from raving about the best spots to hit, I was equally prodded by my hosts to big up their friend’s winery. Bodegas Boado Chaves is a family winery with ten hectares of Albariño vineyards in the hills outside the quaint town of Cambados. With a Non Multa, Sed Multum (“not many but much”) approach to business, the winery is a small producer of O Casal, an Albariño under the Rias Baixas Demonination of Origin. Honestly, I’m happy to plug this refreshingly light wine. The glassfuls of the 2009 vintage were the best vino I drank during the week.  Unfortunately, O Casal isn’t available in the UK (yet). But owner Jose Angel Boado Chaves is a super gracious dude who’d be happy to show folks around … and a tasting tour at his 18th century manor house wouldn’t be too shabby a way to spend a day.

Now that I’ve been back in London for a few days, I still feel sated and restored from my week of Atlantic coast ramblings in Spain. Want more tips on how to best do Galicia?  I might be plied with a glass or two of quality wine, but keep in mind my palate’s standards have raised considerably.