Alvarinho is a white grape variety of the Vitis Vinifera species native to the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. It is one of the finest Portuguese white grape varieties and produces a very high-quality wine. It is a very old grape variety, low in production and very hardy, extraordinarily aromatic and perfumed, distinct and delicate, producing wines with high storage potential.
It gives rise to wines with an intense, distinctive, delicate and complex aroma, ranging from quince, peach, lemon and lychee (fruity character), to orange blossom, jasmine and violet (floral character), to hazelnut and walnut (almond character) and honey (caramelized character). Its flavour is complex, smooth, well-rounded, harmonious, full-bodied and persistent.
Morphology: Features small bunches, compact and with a peculiar shape, the “wing”.
The grape is medium sized, round with a yellow colour that reaches pink tones when well ripened, it has a thick skin and seeds.
Grape varieties
The Alvarinho variety is one of Portugal’s greatest treasures and is considered by renowned experts to be the best Portuguese white grape variety and one of the best in the world.
It is in Monção and Melgaço that its maximum potential is revealed and reached in a unique land, due to natural soil and microclimate reasons.