The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Laéren, Laeren del Rey, Layren, Layrenes, Malvar, Mantuo Laéren, Mantuo Leyrenes and Temprana Agosteña. This very old Andalusian vine was already mentioned by the Spanish agronomist Gabriel Alonso de Herrera (1470-1539) in 1513 under the name Layrenes in his description of the varieties of Andalusia, Extremadura and Castile. Especially in Castile-La Mancha, Airén and Lairén are often confused or considered identical. However, according to DNA analyses carried out most recently in 2010, they are two genetically different varieties. Lairén should also not be confused with the variety Beba (synonym Lairén). There is a parent-offspring relationship between Legiruela (identical to the Valais variety Prié in Switzerland) and Lairén.
The medium- to late-maturing, high-yielding vine is extremely resistant to drought, generally well resistant to many diseases, but sensitive to spring frost. It yields greenish, high-alcohol and high-acid white wines with delicate aromas of bitter almonds, mostly used as a blend with Airén. In the past, it was difficult to give more precise information about the cultivation areas and quantities of the variety due to confusion with Airén, which is much more common in Andalusia. In 2016, 351 hectares of vineyards were reported under the name Lairén, more than half in the province of Guadalajara in the Vinos de Madrid area (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
