The Douro, known for its Port wine production, has always stood out for its red grape varieties, with white grape varieties being pushed into the background. Official figures show that whites account for less than 20% of the entire Douro area.
In terms of proportion, the main white grape varieties are: Códega (20%), Rabigato (19%), Malvasia Fina (15%), Viosinho (10%), Gouveio (7%), and other rarer varieties such as Folgasão and Arinto.
Some of these grape varieties are held in higher esteem, while others, because they are not as appreciated or, rather, misunderstood, have been put on the back burner.
In our Signature Series we explore the individual potential of each of these grape varieties... From the best known, such as Gouveio and Viosinho, to the more obscure, such as Folgasão and Malvasia... an opportunity to taste and understand the role of each variety in the Douro.
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Rabigato is one of the Douro's most important white grape varieties, known for its freshness and acidity.
It stands out for its ability to adapt to schist soils and its resistance to adverse climatic conditions.
The first harvest of Rabigato by Joaninha, where we tested the potential of this extreme variety, in its purest version.
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Malvasia Fina is a grape variety despised by most winemakers because it oxidizes easily, which has led to its disappearance in many regions.
It has straw yellow grapes with medium-sized bunches. It produces wines full of character, with a sweet, deep aroma.
This is a Malvasia Fina by António, showing the potential of the grape variety.
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Gouveio from the Douro is the same as Godello in Valdeorras or Verdelho in the Alentejo.
It's a fruity varietal, with notes of tea, very good body and great longevity. Gouveio has round, yellow berries and is a grape variety with a fruity, tropical aroma.
This is an extreme, high-altitude, fresh Gouveio by Joaninha, which shows the potential of this grape variety and, at the same time, all its fruit and exuberance.
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Small bunches and berries, early ripening, very sensitive to powdery mildew and rot, preferring warm, sunny climates.
A variety that does well in various types of soil and produces well-structured wines
This is a Viosinho by Joaninha from the highlands, at an altitude of 700m, which shows the full potential of the variety, at its purest and most mineral.
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Mostly planted in the Douro, but now rarely seen, Folgasão is also known as Terrantez in Madeira. It's a round grape variety, with a low degree of degree, and a high acidity.
The variety is not as acidic as Arinto, but it has the aromatic freshness and perception of a very mineral and fresh variety.
Folgasão (of the two!) is the only single variety produced in Portugal, with the exception of Terrantez in Madeira for liqueur wines.
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Arinto is one of Portugal's most widespread white grape varieties and is the backbone of most Portuguese white wines.
Known for its acidity, it produces wines that can be compared to the way a Chardonnay behaves in Chablis.
The more freshness, the more they like it, and 'Quanto + Arinto + Gosto de Ti'.
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