The red grape variety originates from Portugal. Synonyms are Espadeiro da Terra, Espadeiro Tinto, Padeiro de Basto and Padeiro Tinto. It must not be confused with the varieties Camaraou Noir, Manseng Noir (both from France), Padeiro, Trincadeira Preta or Vinhão (all five with the synonym Espadeiro), despite seemingly indicating synonyms or morphological similarities. The parentage is unknown. The late-ripening, high-yielding variety yields light red or rosé wines. It is cultivated in Portugal in the areas of Beiras, Douro and Minho or Vinho Verde on 237 hectares. In Spain, a variety called Espadeiro occupies 120 hectares. However, according to DNA analyses carried out in 2006, it is different from the Portuguese Espadeiro. According to the Swiss biologist José Vouillamoz, the Spanish Espadeiro is probably a confusion with the French variety Camaraou Noir (with synonym Espadeiro). In 2016, a total of 357 hectares of vines were reported (Kym Anderson statistics).
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