The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Aidén, Blanc du Zerhoun, Blancón, Burra Blanca, Colgadera, El Biod, El Biodh, El Karim, Forcallada, Forcallat, Forcallat Blanca, Forcallat Blanco, Forcellat Bianca, Laeren de Rey, Manchega (second main name), Mantuo Laeren, Valdepeñera Blanca, Valdepeñas (third main name) and Zerhouni.
This probably very old variety was already known in the Middle Ages. The exact origin is the Cuenca area in the Castilla-La Mancha region, where it is known as Manchega.
According to the latest DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it originates from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x unknown father variety. It should not be confused with the varieties Forcallat Blanca or Lairén, despite some synonyms or morphological similarities. Especially in Castile-La Mancha, Airén and Lairén are often confused or considered identical (the VIVC catalogue does not list Lairén as a separate variety). However, according to DNA analyses carried out in 2010, they are two genetically different varieties (ex Wine Grapes). A direct descendant of Airén is the Parreira Matias variety.
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