The Grape Varieties Behind Aveleda Wines
15 Oct 2025 / Viticulture
Grape varieties are the essence of Portuguese wines and define the unique character of the Vinho Verde region.
With more than 150 years of tradition, Aveleda has built its reputation by selecting and working with varieties that deliver freshness, authenticity and a strong connection to the land.
Loureiro and Alvarinho are the stars — each with its own distinct personality — but there is also room for lesser-known varieties such as Fernão Pires, Trajadura and Espadeiro de Basto. These enrich the brand’s portfolio and offer new experiences to those who taste the wines.
Alvarinho – intensity and sophistication
Alvarinho is one of Portugal’s noblest grape varieties. Traditionally grown in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço, it finds the perfect environment in granite soils, where it expresses all its freshness and elegance.
Aveleda also reveals a rare side of this variety, producing wine from schist soils — uncommon in the region — which gives it a distinct and unique identity.
● Citrusy and stone-fruit aromas (peach, apricot)
● Firm structure, balanced acidity and a long finish
● Marked mineral profile, especially in granite-rich areas
● Firm structure, balanced acidity and a long finish
● Marked mineral profile, especially in granite-rich areas
At Aveleda, this grape gives rise to wines of great distinction. Aveleda Alvarinho showcases the elegance and freshness typical of the variety, while Aveleda Loureiro & Alvarinho combines Alvarinho’s intensity with Loureiro’s aromatic lightness.
Among the most special expressions is Aveleda Parcela do Roseiral, a 100% Alvarinho from a single vineyard, reflecting the variety’s identity in its purest and most sophisticated form.
Loureiro – Atlantic freshness
Loureiro is typical of the Minho region, originally from the Lima Valley, and is closely linked to Atlantic terroir. Grown in sandy and granite soils, it expresses itself in aromatic and fresh wines.
● Intense floral notes reminiscent of orange blossom and bay leaf
● Distinct citrus profile with vibrant natural acidity
● Light body, ideal for young white wines
Aveleda explores this variety brilliantly in Aveleda Loureiro, a wine that expresses its full typicity, and in Aveleda Loureiro & Alvarinho, where both varieties complement each other to create a balanced and highly versatile wine.
Fernão Pires – the aromatic variety
Less known internationally but widely planted in Portugal, Fernão Pires (also known as Maria-Gomes in Bairrada) is valued for its aromatic exuberance.
● Delicate floral aromas with hints of rose and orange blossom
● Tropical and citrus fruit in the background
● Ideal for young, fresh wines
At Aveleda, Fernão Pires is part of blends such as Aveleda Fonte White, joining Loureiro and Trajadura to create a relaxed, balanced wine designed for everyday enjoyment without compromising authenticity.
Trajadura – balance and smoothness
Trajadura, native to the Minho region, plays a discreet yet essential role in Vinho Verde wines — and it is precisely in its subtlety that its true value lies, bringing balance to more aromatic varieties.
Blends with Alvarinho, as well as combinations with Loureiro and Arinto, have become increasingly popular.
● Ripe fruit aromas such as apple, peach and pear
● Low acidity and lower alcohol content
● Adds smoothness and accessibility to blends
In Aveleda Fonte White, Trajadura enhances the wine’s soft and balanced character, complementing the freshness of Loureiro and the aromatics of Fernão Pires. The result is a harmonious and versatile wine for all occasions.
Espadeiro – lightness in rosés
Espadeiro is a red variety typical of Vinho Verde, mainly used for rosé wines, where its Atlantic freshness and light character make it particularly appreciated in young, vibrant styles.
● Fresh red-berry aromas such as strawberry and raspberry
● Light body and vibrant acidity
● Fresh, youthful profile ideal for relaxed drinking
At Aveleda, this variety forms the base of Aveleda Fonte Rosé, a light, aromatic and refreshing wine that perfectly expresses Espadeiro’s Atlantic charm.
Touriga Nacional – elegance and intensity
Among Portugal’s most renowned red varieties, Touriga Nacional — now found across Alentejo, Lisbon, Bairrada, Setúbal, Tejo, Algarve and the Azores — has also gained its place within Aveleda’s portfolio. Known for its aromatic intensity, it typically reveals:
● Notes of violet and expressive floral aromas
● Ripe dark fruit such as blackberry and blueberry
● Hints of fine spice
Its firm structure and elegant tannins make it essential for age-worthy wines and complex blends, proving that Aveleda’s excellence is not limited to white varieties.
Soils and the expression of the grape varieties
Beyond the grape variety itself, the type of soil plays a decisive role in shaping the wine’s style.
● Granite soils: bring freshness and minerality — as in Aveleda Solos de Granito, marked by citrus notes and natural tension
● Schist soils: favour structure and aromatic intensity — as in Aveleda Solos de Xisto, with a fuller, fruit-driven profile
● Sandy soils: found near the Atlantic, producing light and aromatic wines, enhancing the typicity of Loureiro and Fernão Pires
This diversity of soils allows the same grape variety to express unique nuances in the glass. It is in the harmony between terroir and tradition that Aveleda finds the perfect balance to craft distinctive and authentic wines.
Diversity that leads to excellence
Aveleda’s richness lies in the way it combines different varieties and terroirs. The sophisticated character of Alvarinho, the Atlantic freshness of Loureiro, the expressiveness of Fernão Pires, the softness of Trajadura and the lightness of Espadeiro de Basto show how the brand values the diversity of Portuguese grapes.
This attention to detail creates wines that reflect not only the tradition of the Vinho Verde region, but also a vision of quality and innovation that captivates consumers in Portugal and beyond.
By deepening the understanding of these grape varieties and the soils that shape them, consumers discover that every bottle of Aveleda is more than just wine — it is the expression of a family heritage, a unique territory and a continuous commitment to excellence.
Written by Aveleda