Loureira (ES) / Loureiro (PT)

Variety: white | Category III | Portugal/Spain

General Information

Loureira

Loureiro

Origin: Very old variety from the North-West of Portugal (Lima River). Lacerda Lobo (1790) mentioned a variety called Loureiras in Melgaço and in Vila Nova de Cerveira (Minho). Vila Maior (1875) recorded the variety as Loureira at the Lima River. The variety has been cultivated in Spain since the end of the 20th century, long before modern experimental viticulture became the norm.

Chief areas of distribution: Almost the entire viticultural area of Minho, particularly in the Ponte de Lima sub-regions; Rias Baixas, except for the sub-regions of Basto and Amarante, the districts of Baião, Cinfães, and Resende.

Official synonym(s) (national and OIV): Loureira (ES), Márqués (ES).

Historic and regional synonyms: Amarante, Basto, Baião. Known as Branco Redondo in the district of Póvoa de Varzim, Dourado(a) in Viana do Castelo, Marquês in the districts of Paços de Ferreira, Santo Tirso and Caminha, and, erroneously, as Arinto in viticultural regions to the South. In the Spanish province of Galicia the name "Moscatel" is used erroneously, and leads to confusion.

Homonym(s): Not yet determined.

Area under cultivation: PT 5,200 ha; ES 50 ha.

Trend: Upward.

Varietal variability: Medium to high.

Availability of propagating material: RNSV polyclonal material. Clone 83, 84 ISA (Sel. 666 JBP).


VVMD5 VVMD7 VVMD27 VrZag62 VrZag79 VVS2
Allele1 Allele2 Allele1 Allele2 Allele1 Allele2 Allele1 Allele2 Allele1 Allele2 Allele1 Allele2
232 232 247 259 181 185 186 196 251 251 145 153

DOC quality wine: Vinho Verde, Sousa sub-region, Ave, Cávado, Lima, Monção, Paiva.

Regional wine: Minho, Beiras, Terras do Sado. DO, Galicia.

Young shoot (form of tip): Open with crimson red tip. High density of fluffy hairs.

Young leaf: Green with high density of fluffy hairs on the lower side.

Young shoot: Green with green buds.

Inflorescence (sex of flower): Hermaphrodite.

Mature leaf: Medium size, pentagonal, five lobes; medium green blade, irregular, medium blistering of upper side of blade, fluffy hairs of medium density on lower side of blade, short convex teeth. Slightly open V-shaped petiolar sinus. Closed U-shaped upper lateral sinuses.

Bunch: Medium size, conical, with wings, medium density, peduncle of medium length.

Berry: Round, medium size, yellow green; Berry skin of medium thickness, soft flesh.

Time of bud burst: Early, 1 day after the Fernão Pires.

Flowering: Normal, 2 days after the Fernão Pires.

Berry (colour change): Late, 5 days after the Fernão Pires.

Berry (harvest ripe): Late, two weeks after the Fernão Pires.

Vigour of shoot growth: Medium.

Pruning weight:: 1,000 – 2,500 kg/ha, depending on the clone and region.

Shoot attitude (habit): Semi-erect.

Length of internodes: Medium to long.

Shoot length: Long.

Tendency to form lateral shoots: Low.

Rate of multiple bud bursts: Low.

Bud fertility index: 1.5 flowers per shoot.

Yield: High to very high (10,000 – 18,000 kg/ha). (RNSV statistical value: 7.97 kg/vine (Average of at least 40 clones in Póvoa de Lanhoso over 4 years).

Yield consistency: Stable.

Crop uniformity: Uniform.

Winkler Index: 1,268.

Sensitivity to abiotic factors: Sensitive to sun and drought.

Susceptibility to fungal diseases: Susceptible to Oidium, Excloriosis, Bunch Botrytis; medium susceptibility to Peronospora.

Systemic viral infection prior to selection: 45% GLRaV-3, <50% RSPV.

Susceptibility to Pests: Red spider mite.

Bunch size: Large (406 - 484 g) in Vinho Verde; medium (270 g) in hot, dry zones.

Bunch density: Medium.

Berry skin: Berry skin of medium thickness.

Seeds per berry: 2.6.

Vineyard conduction system: Suited to all training systems. Traditionally, it was trained on pergolas or trees. Nowadays, it adapts well to the cordon and Guyot.

Soil requirement: Deep soils of medium fertility and adequate humidity.

Climatic requirements: Needs wind protection; very tolerant of relative humidity

Vine density: Various. Tests on all configurations have had successful results.

Rootstock: Medium to good compatibility with the majority of rootstock varieties. Recommended rootstock are SO4, 197-17, and 101-14.

Irrigation: Possible if soil is extremely dry, but unusual.

Incidence of coulure/millerandage: Occurs from time to time.

Spoilage of mature berries: Sensitive, damage easily.

Risk of bird damage: Low.

Machine harvest suitability: Possible at lower temperatures; bunches are easily detachable.

Wine type: Young Vinho Verde.

Potential alcohol content: Depends on the region. In Minho, must has a low alcohol content (11% vol.); in the Dão, 13% vol. is usual (V. Loureiro). (RNSV statistical value: 10.22% vol. (Average of at least 40 clones in Braga over 8 years).

Natural acidity of must: Medium to high. RNSV statistical value: 10.27 g/l (Average of at least 40 clones in Braga over 8 years).

Risk of oxidation of must: Medium.

Wine colour tonality: Varies from white to an intense citrine yellow.

Risk of oxidation of wine: Medium.

Aromatic profile: High level of terpenoid compounds (172 μg/l), primarily α-terpineol (123 μg/l). Sensorial analysis (Cerdeira 2004) confirmed a floral bouqet, combined with citrus, orchard, and some tropical fruit aromas.

Ageing Potential: Should not be aged for longer than one year.

Blending recommendation: Arinto, Trajadura.

Wine Descriptors: High in acid, intense aromas, and fresh, but loses its fresh, floral and fruity characters with age. The aromatic intensity lends this young varietal much expression which harkens back to its name ("the laurel"), but is bolstered by hints of lime, orange, and acacia blossom, and the fruitiness of the orange and peach. Good well-balanced structure, lasting finish.

Wine quality: Good to very good, depending on terroir.

Variety Characteristics: unavailable

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