The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Tortozon (France); Alva (Portugal); Alligator, Alvarelhão Branco, Cepa de Grande, Cetima, Coma, Luparello, Pansa Nova, Malvasía, Tardana, Tortozón (Spain). It should not be confused with the Touriga Branca (Alvarelhão Branco) variety, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms. The variety was already mentioned in 1513 as Tortozón by the Spanish author Gabriel Alonso de Herrera (1470-1539) in his work "Obra de Agricultura". According to the latest DNA analyses carried out in 2018, it originated from a presumably natural cross between Rojal Tinta x Heptakilo (Axina de Tres Bias) (although this is based on only 20 DNA markers; see Molecular Genetics). A cross between Planta Nova x Hebén (Gibi) resulted in the variety Alarije.
This late-ripening vine (as indicated by the synonym Tardana) has particularly thick-skinned berries. It produces fresh white wines with peach and lemon flavours. It is also used as table grape. In Spain, the variety is mainly cultivated in the Levante region in the DO area of Utiel-Requena, as well as in the Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura regions. It occupies a total of 864 hectares of vineyards in Spain, with a strong downward trend. In Portugal, it occupies a total of 24 hectares in the Trás-os-Montes and Ribatejo regions. In France, it is cultivated under Tortozon in the département of Ariège, but no stock is recorded. In 2016, a total of 888 hectares of vineyards were recorded (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Image: VCR - Vivai Coopertivi Rauscedo
