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.

Despite its extremely high quality, Alvarinho is a low-yielding grape variety due to the small size of its berries and clusters, with much of the interior space occupied by seeds. The majority of aromatic compounds and some of the structure that will be imparted to the wine are found in the skin. The wines are intensely colored with citrus reflections, soft and persistent flavors, and distinct yet delicate aromas. These wines are complex, with a predominant floral character but also fruity (peach, banana, lemon), nutty, and caramelized. Alvarinho has high sugar content, resulting in more alcoholic wines, and a well-present acidity, an ideal condition for complex and age-worthy wines.

With all these properties, it’s no wonder that we use Alvarinho in five of our references, some of which are quite different. Alvarinho is featured in three wines from the Quinta da Raza range, specifically in the single-varietal Quinta da Raza Alvarinho and in two blends – Quinta da Raza Alvarinho-Trajadura (perhaps the most consensual and award-winning wine in our production) and Quinta da Raza Avesso-Alvarinho,highlighting the aging potential of both varieties. Alvarinho is also the majority grape (80%) in the Family Collection No.2, with the particularity of combining three harvest years: 2018, 2019, and 2020. Finally, in a relationship of great symbiosis, it shares with Avesso and Arinto the composition of the Quinta da Raza Espumante Bruto Natural 2019.