The white grape variety originates from Portugal. It probably has its origin from this area, according to the second main name Arinto de Bucelas. Others are Asal Espanhol, Assario Branco, Arintho, Arinto Cachudo, Arinto Cercial, Arinto d'Anadia, Arinto Galego, Arintho, Azal Espanhol, Boal Cachudo, Chapeludo, Pedernã, Terrantez da Terceira and Torrontés. The parentage is unknown. The vine must not be confused with the varieties Arinto de Colares, Bical (Arinto de Alcobaça), Dorinto (Arinto do Douro), Folgasão, Terrantez da Terceira, Loureiro (Arinto Branco), Malvasia Fina (Arinto do Dão), Sercial (Arinto dos Açores) or Tamarez (Arinto Gordo), despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. There is no relationship with the red Tempranillo variety (Arinto Tinto). The Arinto Roxo variety is a somatic mutation with reddish berries. A direct descendant is the variety Tinta Fontes, which was created by presumably natural crossing.
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According to one hypothesis, the vine was introduced to Portugal in the Middle Ages by German crusaders from the Rhine region. However, according to DNA analyses carried out in 1999, there is no relationship to Riesling that has long been suspected in this respect. There is, however, a close relationship to the Trajadura variety. The red-berried Arinto Roxo is a colour mutation. The variety was first mentioned in 1712 under the name Arinto by Vicêncio Alarte in his work "Agricultura das vinhas" (Agriculture of Vineyards), which is considered the first treatise on the subject.
The late-ripening variety is extremely resistant to heat and drought, but susceptible to botrytis. It yields acidic white wines with citrus aromas somewhat similar to Riesling. The vine is grown in the Portuguese areas of Alentejo, Beira Interior, Bucelas, Carcavelos, Do Tejo, Douro, Minho, Setúbal, Vinho Verde (under Pedernã) and in the Azores. In 2016, a total of 5,409 hectares of vineyards were declared in Portugal for the Arinto variety (under the name Arinto de Bucelas). It thus ranks 107th in the world grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Grape: Câmara Municipal de Loures
