The red grape variety originates from Portugal. Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Sousao, Souzao (California); Espadeiro Basto, Espadeiro da Tinta, Espadeiro de Basto, Espadeiro Preto, Negrão, Negrão pe de Perdiz, Pinhão, Sousão, Sousão de Correr, Sousão Forte, Souzão, Souzão Forte, Tinta, Tinta Nacional, Tinto Antigo, Tinto de Parada, Tinto Nacional (Portugal); Azal Tinto, Caíño Gordo, Loureira Tinta, Negron, Pazao, Retinto, Sousón, Sousón Retinto, Tinta de Luzin, Tinta País, Tintilla, Vinon (Spain). The parentage (parentage) is unknown, but some DNA analyses brought important findings. The varieties Sezao (Sousão) and Vinhão are probably identical. There is a parent-offspring relationship with the often confused variety Amaral. Direct descendants are the new variety Argaman as well as the two varieties Padeiro and Tinta Mesquita through presumably natural crossings. The grape variety picture is taken from the work "Ampélographie - Traité général de viticulture" by Victor Vermorel and Pierre Viala, published in 1910.
The medium-late ripening vine is generally resistant to various pests and diseases. It produces extremely dark-coloured, full-bodied red wines with aromas of cherries. In Portugal, the variety is mainly cultivated in the Vinho Verde area, as well as in the Douro port wine area, on a total of 4,055 hectares of vineyards. In Spain, it is permitted in the Rías Baixas, Ribeiro and Valdeorras areas. Here it occupies 333 hectares. There are other stocks overseas in the countries of Australia (1 ha), South Africa (44 ha) and USA in mainly California (36 ha); where it is preferred for port style wines. In 2016, a total of 4,468 hectares of vines were reported, with an upward trend. This puts it in 124th place in the world grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
