The Loureiro probably comes from the Lima Valley, a river valley in the northern coastal region of Portugal. It is also likely that it is a very old Portuguese grape variety. There are close relationships with the Alvarinho and the Amaral variety. The name Loureiro refers to the strong aroma of the berries, which is primarily reminiscent of laurel and laurel flowers. The variety, which is quite sensitive to powdery mildew and downy mildew, is most common in the north of Portugal, more precisely in the Vinho Verde region. It sprouts relatively late but ripens early, both characteristics of great advantage near the cool Portuguese Atlantic coast. Unfortunately, it is also susceptible to sour rot, mites and the fungal disease Phomopsis. The Loureiro can develop very strong aromas that can sometimes seem intrusive. In Vinho Verde it is usually blended with the Treixadura and Arinto de Bucelas varieties to produce a light, fresh and crisp, fruity white wine, Vinho Verde. Outside of Vinho Verde, the variety is still permitted in Portugal in the Tejo, Beira and Peninsula de Bucelas regions, where it is only found in small quantities. Smaller plantings outside the country still exist in Galicia in northwestern Spain.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Arinto, Arinto Branco, Basto, Amarnate, Baiao, Branco Redondos, Branco Redondo, Dorado, Dourada, Dourado, False Pedro, Gallego Dourado, Loureiro Branco, Loeireiro Blanco, Marques, Marquez, Loureira, Loureiro Blanca, Loureiro Blanco, Rutherglen Pedro
