Azal branco

"Carvalha" redirects here. For the red Portuguese wine grape also known as Carvalha, see Tinta Carvalha.
Azal branco
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skinWhite
SpeciesVitis vinifera
Also calledSee list of synonyms
OriginPortugal
Notable regionsVinho Verde
VIVC number815

Azal branco is a white Portuguese wine grape[1] planted primarily in the Minho region but with greater expansion to Amarante, Basto, Baião and Vale do Sousa sub-regions.[2] It noted for the high acidity of its wines, and is used for white Vinho Verde.[3] Varietal Azal Branco wines can be somewhat reminiscent of Riesling.

Total Portuguese plantations are around 5,100 hectares (13,000 acres), which makes it the second-most planted grape variety of Minho, after Loureiro.[4]

The Azal variety provides an intense green color when maturated and an aroma of citric fruits (such as lemon or green apple)[5] and nuts. It produces young, fresh yet acidic wines.[6]

  1. ^ Azal branco, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed on June 27, 2010
  2. ^ "Azal -". Vine to Wine Circle (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  3. ^ J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Wine Course Third Edition pg 100 Abbeville Press 2003 ISBN 0-7892-0883-0
  4. ^ Jancis Robinson, ed. (2006). "Azal branco". Oxford Companion to Wine (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 56. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.
  5. ^ CVRVV. "Castas". www.vinhoverde.pt. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  6. ^ "Castas de Portugal: Azal - Vida Rural". Vida Rural (in European Portuguese). 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2018-09-07.