Loureiro (also known as Loureira or Branca in some contexts)
Loureiro is one of the two flagship white grape varieties of the Vinho Verde region in northwest Portugal, renowned for producing light, fresh, and highly aromatic wines that capture the essence of the Atlantic-influenced Minho terroir. While Alvarinho often takes the spotlight in premium single-varietal bottlings, Loureiro is the most widely planted white grape in Vinho Verde and frequently forms the backbone of classic blends, bringing elegance, floral perfume, and piercing acidity.
Native to the cool, rainy, and humid Minho, Loureiro thrives on the granite and schist soils of the region, where its vigorous vines are typically trained on high pergolas (“ramadas”) to maximize airflow and reduce rot in the damp climate. It ripens later than Alvarinho, retaining excellent natural acidity even in warmer years, and produces small, compact bunches with thin-skinned, golden-yellow berries that concentrate intense aromatic precursors.
In the glass, Loureiro wines are usually very pale lemon or straw in color, often with green highlights. The nose is explosively floral and fragrant: white flowers (jasmine, honeysuckle, acacia), citrus blossom, lime zest, green apple, and pear, often layered with subtle herbal notes (bay leaf, mint) and a distinctive mineral or wet-stone character. A hallmark is the “Loureiro perfume”—a clean, almost spicy lift that evokes fresh-cut grass or white pepper.
On the palate, these wines are light to medium-bodied with razor-sharp acidity that provides a mouth-watering, refreshing finish. Flavors echo the aromas—crisp citrus, green apple, stone fruit—delivered with precision and a subtle saline or mineral edge from the coastal influence. Alcohol levels are typically low to moderate (10.5–12%), and many examples show a delicate spritz from natural carbonation or light filtration, enhancing their thirst-quenching appeal.
While Loureiro can be vinified as a varietal wine, it excels in blends with Alvarinho, Trajadura, or Arinto, where it adds aromatic complexity and finesse. Compared to Alvarinho’s riper, fuller profile, Loureiro leans more delicate, floral, and acid-driven—often described as the “elegant backbone” of Vinho Verde.
Versatile, food-friendly, and endlessly refreshing, Loureiro shines with seafood, shellfish, grilled fish, salads, fresh cheeses, and light summer fare. It perfectly embodies the Atlantic freshness and lightness that define coastal Portuguese whites—vibrant, aromatic, and made for joyful, everyday enjoyment.