Caiño Tinto is a synonym for the well-known Borraçal grape variety. Borraçal is one of the older grape varieties in Portugal; it was first mentioned in 1790 in the Minho or Vinho Verde region, where it is still native today. Little is known about its origins, nor about its possible genetic relationships to other grape varieties within or outside Portugal. The variety sprouts in the middle segment, but ripens quite late. It is susceptible to a whole range of diseases, such as rotting, powdery mildew and rot diseases. The harvests are incalculable due to large deviations. With high yields it tends to produce inferior qualities, a circumstance that suggests yield limitations. In Portugal, Borraçal is part of the red Vinho Verde, usually blended with the Vinhão variety. In Spain there are deposits of Borraçal under the name Caiño Tinto, especially in Galicia, where the wine is also often made using the carbonique maceration method. Around 4,500 hectares are under vines for Vinho Verde. No other occurrences of this variety are known.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Borraçal
