Loureira (low-RAY-ra) is a white wine grape from the Rías Baixas region of Galicia.
What is loureira?
Loureira, or Loureiro means ‘laurel’ in Galician and Portuguese, because its scent bears a resemblance to laurel (bay) leaves. It’s recognized as a preferred variety in Rias Baixas, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, and Valdeorras, and as an authorized variety in Monterrei.
What does Loureira wine smell like?
Loureira is very aromatic, with the aromas of bay leaf (laurel) which give it its name, but also moscatel-like notes of candied fruit and white flowers.
What does Loureira wine taste like?
On the palate, it has little body and an acidic edginess, but its aromatic compounds make it useful in blends with other grapes like albariño. In the Condado do Tea and O Rosal subzones of Rías Baixas, loureira is most often used in blends.
Where does loureira come from?
Loureira, or Loureiro as it is sometimes known, comes from the Vale do Lima (known as Limia in Galicia) in northwest Portugal. It’s also known as Branco Redondos or Marquez. The oldest known mention of loureira is by C. B. de Lacerda Lobo, who placed it in Melgaço and Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal, at the end of the eighteenth century.
Some technical details
Loureira is early-budding and late-ripening. It produces wines that are not very alcoholic (9.5-11.5%) and high in acidity (7.7- 9.5 g / L).