This white grape variety comes from Portugal. The name means "sour grape". Synonyms are Arinto de Alcobaça, Barrado das Moscas, Bical de Bairrada, Borrado das Moscas, Fernão Pires Galego, Pedro, Pintado das Moscas, Pintado dos Pardais and Torrontés. According to DNA analyses carried out most recently in 2018, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Arinto do Dão (Malvasia Fina) x unknown partner. It should not be confused with the Arinto (Arinto de Bucelas) or Fernão Pires varieties, despite the synonyms or morphological similarities that seem to indicate this. There is also no connection with the red variety Touriga Nacional (with synonym Bical or Bical Tinto). The synonym Borrado das Moscas (engl. flyspeck) refers to the small dark dots on the berries. The very early ripening vine is susceptible to both powdery mildew, botrytis and trickle. It produces acidic, ageable white wines with aromas of tropical fruits and peaches. These are mainly used for blends and sparkling wine production. The variety is particularly widespread in the areas of Bairrada, Beiras, Dão, Douro, Ribatejo, Távora-Varosa and Trás-os-Montes. In 2016, a total of 1,076 hectares of vines were reported (Kym Anderson statistics).
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)