red grape · regional specialty
Espadeiro
Minho, Portugal
Say it
esh·pah·day·roo
In European Portuguese the starting es is said like sh, so it begins esh-pa.
On the palate
red fruitstart
How you spot it blind: pale ruby color and tart acidity, often bottled as Vinho Verde rosé Espadal
The story
First written down · 1889, Portugal
A native Portuguese variety centered in Minho, long used in Vinho Verde. It has been traditionally vinified as a pale rosé called Espadal in the region. In Spain, grapes called Espadeiro are a different variety identified by DNA as Camaraou Noir, so Portuguese Espadeiro is distinct.
Where it lives
Vinho Verde, Portugal
Shows up as
still redrosésparkling
If you like this, try
Padeiro →Alvarelhão