"Carvalha" redirects here. For the red Portuguese wine grape also known as Carvalha, see Tinta Carvalha.

Azal branco is a white Portuguese wine grape[1] planted primarily in the Minho region but with greater expansion to Amarante, Basto, Baião and Vale do Sousa sub-regions.[2] It noted for the high acidity of its wines, and is used for white Vinho Verde.[3] Varietal Azal Branco wines can be somewhat reminiscent of Riesling.

Total Portuguese plantations are around 5,100 hectares (13,000 acres), which makes it the second-most planted grape variety of Minho, after Loureiro.[4]

The Azal variety provides an intense green color when maturated and an aroma of citric fruits (such as lemon or green apple)[5] and nuts. It produces young, fresh yet acidic wines.[6]

Synonyms

Azal branco is also known under the synonyms Asal branco, Asal da Lixa, Azal bianco, Azal da Lixa, Carvalha, Carvalhal, Es Pinheira, Gadelhudo, and Pinheira.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Azal branco, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed on June 27, 2010
  2. ^ "Azal -". Vine to Wine Circle (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  3. ^ J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Wine Course Third Edition pg 100 Abbeville Press 2003 ISBN 0-7892-0883-0
  4. ^ Jancis Robinson, ed. (2006). "Azal branco". Oxford Companion to Wine (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 56. ISBN 0-19-860990-6.
  5. ^ CVRVV. "Castas". www.vinhoverde.pt. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
  6. ^ "Castas de Portugal: Azal - Vida Rural". Vida Rural (in European Portuguese). 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2018-09-07.