Loureiro

Vinho Verde's perfumed second grape; floral and zippy.

Loureiro is one of Vinho Verde's principal grapes, often blended with Trajadura and Pedernã (Arinto) and sometimes with Alvarinho. The grape's name comes from louro, the bay laurel, reflecting its perfumed aromatic profile of citrus blossom, peach, and a hint of bay leaf. Wines are dry, low in alcohol (often 10-11%), and lightly fizzy in classic Vinho Verde style. Most plantings concentrate in the cooler northwestern subregions of Lima and Cávado.