The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Tortozon (France); Alva (Portugal); Alligator, Alvarelhão Branco, Cepa de Grande, Cetima, Coma, Luparello, Pansa Nova, Malvasía, Tardana, Tortozón (Spain). It must not be confused with the Touriga Branca (Alvarelhão Branco) variety, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms. The variety was already mentioned in 1513 as Tortozón by the Spanish writer Gabriel Alonso de Herrera (1470-1539) in his work "Obra de Agricultura". According to the most recent DNA analyses in 2018, it originated from a presumably natural cross between Rojal Tinta x Heptakilo (Axina de Tres Bias) (however, this is based on only 20 DNA markers; see Molecular genetics). A cross Planta Nova x Hebén (Gibi) resulted in the variety Alarije.
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