Alfrocheiro

The Alfrocheiro grape variety stands as one of Portugal's most enigmatic and treasured indigenous red wine grapes, renowned for its exceptional ability to produce deeply colored, structured wines that embody the essence of Portuguese winemaking. Also known as Alfrocheiro Preto, this mysterious variety has established itself across Portugal's premier wine regions, particularly excelling in the Dão DOC where it found its natural home, while successfully expanding southward to Alentejo, Bairrada, and Tejo regions. Once thought to be a recent variety in Portugal due to its absence from ancient records, science now reveals that Alfrocheiro is one of the oldest varieties, serving as the progenitor of grapes such as Castelão and Moreto. This fascinating backstory, combined with its late documentation in viticultural literature only after the 20th-century phylloxera crisis, adds mystique to a variety that continues to gain recognition among wine enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Alfrocheiro Preto wines are characterized by their deep color, balanced sugars and acids, making them warmly received in wineries, particularly for their contribution to premium Portuguese red wines. The variety produces wines marked by intense aromas and flavors, with notes of red fruits such as strawberries and wild berries, complemented by subtle spice touches that add complexity to the sensorial experience. These wines are rich in color with firm but ripe tannins and an excellent balance of tannins, alcohol, acidity, and attractive berry fruit, reminiscent particularly of blackberries and ripe strawberries. The grape's remarkable ability to retain good acidity even in hot climates makes it particularly valuable for climate adaptation in modern viticulture. Alfrocheiro demonstrates early ripening characteristics with high alcohol potential and medium-high anthocyanin concentration, resulting in wines with excellent aging potential that evolve from intense garnet colors with violet reflections in youth to complex ruby tones with enhanced aromatic sophistication over time. This exceptional versatility positions Alfrocheiro as a cornerstone variety for Portugal's wine future, offering producers an invaluable tool for crafting authentic terroir-driven wines of supreme quality.