The white grape variety originates from Spain. There are around one hundred synonyms that indicate the vine's great age and wide distribution. The most important, grouped alphabetically by country, are Doradillo (Australia); Calagrano Blanc, Malvasia, Malvoisie Espagnole (France); Djiniani (Morocco); Boal Carrasquenha, Boal Carrasquenho, Carrasquenho, Mourisco Branco, Mourisco Portalegre, Sarigo (Portugal); Amor Blanco, Aujubi, Avesso du Minho, Baladi, Baladi-Verdejo, Balay, Belledy, Blanca Cayetana, Blanco Jaén, Cagazal, Cazagal, Calagraño, Cayetana, Charello, Charelo, Chaselo, Cheres, Cirial, Dedo, Dedro, Esclafacherri, Farta Gosos, Garillo, Garrida, Garrido, Garriga, Garrilla, Hoja Vuelta, Jaén, Jaén Blanco, Jaén Doradillo, Jaén Empinadillo, Jaén Prieto Blanco, Jaenes, Jainas, Jarime, Jean de Castilla, Jean de Letur, Jean de Letur de Maratella, Jean Doradillo, Jean Dore, Jean Prieto, Machuenco, Maizancho, Mariouti, Marisanchas, Marisancho, Morisca, Morisco, Mourisco Arsello, Naves, Naves Cazagal, Neruca, Padero, Parda, Pardina, Pirulé, Pirulet, Plateadillo, Robal Tierra de Barros (Spain).
The graphic on the right is from the work "Ampélographie - Traité général de viticulture" by Victor Vermorel and Pierre Viala. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the Albillo Mayor, Avesso, Calagraño or Xarello varieties. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it originates from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x unknown partner. With the main Spanish synonyms Jaén Blanco and Pardina, as well as the Portuguese name Mourisco Branco, the variety is a leading variety of great importance on the Iberian Peninsula. There are the following direct descendants, with Alfrocheiro often involved as the second parent variety:
This late-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to drought but susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis. It produces neutral white wines with moderate acidity and alcohol content. In Spain, it is cultivated under the name Cayetana Blanca in the Extremadura region (e.g. Ribera del Guadiana), under the name Jaén Blanco in the regions of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid, and under Pardina in Extremadura. The wines are used in large quantities for distillation, for example for Brandy de Jerez. The area under cultivation is 36,252 hectares. In Portugal, it is grown on 132 hectares in the Alentejo region. In Australia, it was introduced in the 19th century under the name Doradillo and was mainly cultivated in Riverland. However, no stock has been identified here. In 2016, the variety occupied a total of 36,401 hectares of vineyards with a downward trend. This puts it in 23rd place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Grape: Taninotanino Vinos Inteligentes S.L.
Sheet: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Graphic: By Jules Troncy, Public domain, Link
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Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien