Grape variety and grafted vine plant Albariño: all the secrets

Albariño

It is the most widespread variety in the Spanish region of Galícia, and one of the most important varieties in the region of Vinho Verde in Portugal (Alvarinho), cultivated mainly in the north of the Minho subregion of Monção. Due to its adaptability, it also grows well in other parts of Portugal. In Spain most of the plantations are located in the regions of O Salnes and O Rosal and extend inland among the Miño river basin to Salvatierra de Miño and Arbo, coinciding with the D.O. Rías Baixas (Galicia).

CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN

YEAR	1990	1999	2009
HECTARES	220	222	5.490

CULTIVATED AREA IN PORTUGAL

YEAR	2000	2011
HECTARES	1.800	1.596

Budburst period: medium-early.
Ripening period: medium-early.
Yield: low-yield variety, especially if proper cropping and pruning systems are not applied. Clone selection offers important production improvements.

Ampelographic characters:

the bud has an open, very cottony, white apex with stronglytoothed edges. The leaf is small, roundish and pentagonal, with very shallow lateral sinuses, bright green upper side, reddish lower side. The cluster is small, medium-compact, of yellowish-green color, spherical berries and gifted with a slightly muscat taste.

Cultural aptitude:

highly vigorous vine. Semi-upright growth habit. Adaptable to different types of soils, as long as they are granitic and not poorly drained, and climates, as long as they are not too humid.

Training system and pruning:

it prefers relatively expanded training systems and medium-long or long pruning. In case of short pruning, significant production losses can occur.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

susceptible to powdery mildew and acariasis. Average susceptibility to downy mildew and botrytis.

Enological potential:

it produces a straw-yellow wine with greenish reflection, of high acidity, harmonious, of great persistence and aromatic expression. Variety suitable for aging.