Arinto

Arinto carries the VIVC prime name Arinto, variety number 602, with a white (blanc) berry skin. VIVC records Portugal as its country or region of origin; resting on that single source, Portugal is its likely homeland. Its parentage is unknown: both parent fields in its passport are blank, and no full pedigree is recorded. The passport does flag offspring, but WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data links no children or siblings for Arinto.

• VIVC prime name: Arinto; VIVC variety number 602; country of origin: Portugal (likely; single source)
• Berry skin colour: blanc (white)
• Parents: none recorded (parentage unknown)
• Offspring: flagged in the VIVC passport; none linked in WineWiki's lineage data

Arinto is presumed to originate in the Bucelas region, very close to Lisbon. It is thought to come from Bucelas DOC, which is why it is also called Arinto de Bucelas. Today it is grown throughout Portugal. Wellington was very fond of Bucelas wine.

• Presumed to originate in the Bucelas region, very close to Lisbon
• Also called Arinto de Bucelas
• Grown throughout Portugal
• Wellington was very fond of Bucelas wine

Arinto is a white variety whose alcohol is medium and whose total acidity is high. The variety carries restrained aromatic intensity, with green apple and lemon the leading notes. The English called Bucelas wine "Lisbon Hock". Decanter credits cool Atlantic breezes down the Trancão river valley with sharpening Arinto's acid backbone there, balancing the tropical citrus profile of the wines there.

Arinto is grown in several Portuguese regions, from those with a strong Atlantic influence, such as Vinho Verde, to warmer ones such as the Alentejo. It is the dominant grape in the white wines of Bucelas, where it grows on calcareous slopes very close to Lisbon. It also makes high-acid, sometimes lemony wine in Tejo.

• Dominant grape in the white wines of Bucelas, grown on calcareous slopes
• Known as Pedernã in Vinho Verde
• Grown in warmer regions such as the Alentejo, where it keeps its high acidity

Arinto is a late-ripening variety. Its standout trait is that it keeps its high acidity in warmer regions such as the Alentejo and tolerates water shortages. In the Alentejo and Tejo it is especially useful for the acidity it contributes, which is indispensable there and hard to obtain. The variety is susceptible to oidium (powdery mildew).

• Late-ripening variety
• Keeps its high acidity in warmer regions and tolerates water shortages
• Susceptible to oidium (powdery mildew)
• Valued in the Alentejo and Tejo for the acidity it contributes

Arinto produces vibrant, refreshing white wines with lively acidity and a strong mineral character, with notes of green apple, lime and lemon. It is made alone or in blends, and is frequently used for sparkling wines. In Bucelas, where it dominates the white wines, it offers freshness and longevity. Arinto has a high ageing potential.

• Vibrant, refreshing whites with lively acidity and a strong mineral character
• Made alone, in blends and as sparkling wine
• Dominant grape in Bucelas whites, which offer freshness and longevity
• High ageing potential

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=602 ; https://www.ivv.gov.pt/casta/arinto/ ; https://winesofportugal.com/en/portuguese-wines/grape-varieties/arinto/ ; https://winesofportugal.com/en/discover/wine-regions/lisboa/ ; https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2023/july/16/the-indigenous-varieties-of-portugal Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/arinto ; https://www.decanter.com/features/portugal-whites-to-excite-267561/ Last verified 2026-10-20