Archives: Grape Varieties

Trajadura

A grape variety of Minho origin, probably from the Monção and Melgaço sub-region, it is planted in almost all of the Vinho Verde Region, except for the Baião sub-region. Highly productive, its cycle is long, showing early bud break and late ripening; the clusters are compact, and the berries are greenish-yellow.

Espadeiro

A grape variety that gives rise to a very popular wine in Minho and the Vinho Verde Region, usually known as Espadal. In any case, its cultivation is not widespread throughout the entire wine region, concentrating in the valleys of the Lima, Cávado, Ave, and Tâmega rivers. Like Vinhão, its expression is essentially regional, not widely known outside its borders.

Padeiro

Alongside Azal, Padeiro is another emblematic grape variety of the Basto sub-region. In times past, it was designated as Padeiro de Basto, a name that was later removed to avoid confusion with the sub-region itself.

Vinhão

Undoubtedly of Minho origins, Vinhão is now the most popular and planted red grape in the Vinho Verde Region, although it is more expressive in the Lima, Ave, and Basto sub-regions, in the latter case, enhanced by the Tâmega valley and its large annual temperature variations, allowing for a considerable exploitation of its potential. Also known as Sousão, especially in the Douro Valley, where it is used to add color to some Port wines, Vinhão produces wines with high acidity, vinous, full-bodied, and intense red color, opaque to light.

Gouveio

Although authorized for the Vinho Verde Region, the cultivation of Gouveio was, until relatively recently, limited to a few dozen vines, primarily for experimental purposes and, as such, without commercial objectives. In any case, in other wine regions, such as Galicia – known as Godello, closely following the Minho version of Godelho – it is widely cultivated, used both in the production of single-varietal wines and in blends with other varieties such as Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Trajadura, among others.

Azal

It would not be unreasonable to present Azal as the favorite grape variety of the Quinta da Raza team. In fact, we are talking about a native grape variety of the Basto sub-region, which, in our view, so well expresses the vigor and character of our people and our land.

Avesso

This grape variety is full of oenological virtues. It is a high-quality, vigorous, and rustic variety that, when the demands placed on it in the vineyard and the winery are overcome, produces fresh wines with floral and mineral notes, as well as citrus and stone fruit, slightly more full-bodied than usual. Another highlight is the aging potential of wines from this variety, with time adding structure and complexity, and the emergence of honey and dried fruit aromas and flavors, such as almond.

Arinto

Cultivated throughout the Vinho Verde Region, Arinto finds the best conditions to express its full potential in the more inland areas. Its geographical distribution is not limited to the northwest of Portugal; it is also found in other vineyard areas and regions, explaining the profusion of synonyms, such as ‘Pedernã,’ ‘Azal Galego,’ ‘Perdigão,’ ‘Pé de Perdiz,’ among others. It is characterized by its vigorous nature and low fertility, giving rise to large, very compact, and heavy clusters.

Alvarinho

Almost everything has been written about Alvarinho. For many winemakers and viticulturists, it is considered the noblest white grape variety in Portugal. Its behavior in the vineyard serves as a reminder of the upcoming moments. After bud break, usually in the second half of March, flowering follows in late May, and the fragrance from the flowers constantly reminds us that we are in spring. By the end of July, when the berries become translucent, we realize that there are only a few weeks left until the start of another harvest campaign.