The red grape variety originates from Portugal or from France. Synonyms are Alfrocheiro Preto, Alfurcheiro, Bastardo, Bastardo Negro, Budelho, Tinta Bastardinha, Tinta Fina, Tinta Francesa de Viseu (Portugal); Albarín Frances, Albarín Negro, Albarín Tinto, Baboso Negro, Bruñal, Caíño Gordo, Negrona (Spain). It is probably a very old variety, although it was first mentioned relatively late in 1971. According to one hypothesis, it was imported from France, which could be indicated by the synonym Tinta Francesa de Viseu. It is not a colour mutation of the two white varieties Albarín Blanco or Alfrocheiro Branco (Trebbiano Toscano) or vice versa. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2018, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Savagnin (Traminer) x unknown partner.
The Alfrocheiro variety is an important leading variety on the Iberian...
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