The Avesso grape variety, mainly native to the low-lying areas of the Douro in the Vinho Verde region, is probably not one of the very old grape varieties in Portugal, but was first mentioned in 1896. So far, family relationships have not been identified, nor has the actual origin of the variety, which, however, probably also lies in Portugal. The name of the early budding and early ripening grape variety means something like “opposite”. This is believed to be an allusion to the relatively high alcohol content that the variety can achieve, in contrast to the other grape varieties represented here. The variety is relatively insensitive to powdery mildew, but not to downy mildew. It is also susceptible to putrefactive diseases such as sour rot. But it copes well with drought. Otherwise it is fertile and produces good yields. Avesso is part of the grape variety mix for Vinho Verde, although its high alcohol content can be a problem for this wine given the legal limit of 11.5 percent. It is not developed as a pure variety. Avesso is not known outside of Portugal. The white variety Jaén Blanco, grown in central and western Spain, is probably identical to the Avesso in Portugal.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Bornao, Bornal, Borral, Borracal Branco, Jaén Blanco
