Caíño blanco


Caíño blanco is a white Spanish and Portuguese wine grape variety that is grown in northwest Spain and northern Portugal in a stretch of area between Vinho Verde and the Denominación de Origen of Rías Baixas. The grape is often confused for Albariño and in Vinho Verde it is sometimes known under the name Alvarinhão. While DNA profiling conducted in the early 21st century has shown that the two grapes are distinct varieties, the evidence has suggested that Caíño blanco maybe an offspring of Albariño from a natural crossing with the red Portuguese wine grape Azal tinto.

History

s believe that Caíño blanco is native to the northwest Iberian peninsula and was likely the result of a natural crossing between Albariño and Azal tinto. Caíño blanco has been growing in the Spanish wine region of Galicia and northern Portugal since at least 1722 when it was first mentioned so the crossing between Albariño and Azal tinto would have had to occur sometime before the 18th century. Swiss geneticist José Vouillamoz notes that the DNA evidence linking Caíño blanco to Albariño and Azal tinto is based on analysis of only 27 genetic markers and that the Caiño family of grapes has a very complex genetic history which would require more analysis in order to confirm Caíño blanco's origins.

Viticulture

Caíño blanco is a mid to late ripening grape variety that also buds early to midway through the budding period for grapevines. The grape is susceptible to the viticultural hazards of both downy and powdery mildew.

Wine regions

In 2008 there were of Caíño blanco growing in Spain, virtually all of it in the northwest Spanish wine region of Galicia where the grape is a permitted variety in the Rías Baixas and Monterrei DOs. In Rías Baixas, most of the plantings of Caíño blanco are found in the O Rosal area in the province of Pontevedra where it is often blended with Albariño. Across the border in Portugal there were of the grape in cultivation as of 2010.

Styles

According to Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, Caíño blanco tends to produce wines of high alcohol levels with zesty acidity and mineral notes.

Synonyms

Over the years, Caíño blanco has been known under a variety of synonyms including: Alvarinhão, Cainho, Cainho branco, Cainho de Moreira, Caino blanco, Caíño branco, Caino branco and Caino de Moreira.