Grape in focus
Loureiro: the scent of bay leaf
Loureiro is the most planted grape of Vinho Verde. The name refers to the bay laurel, and you find that scent in the glass, together with citrus and blossom. It gives light, fresh white wine with little alcohol, on its own or together with Alvarinho.
Loureiro at a glance
| Origin | The Minho, in north-west Portugal |
|---|---|
| Other names | Loureira in Galicia |
| Main regions | Vinho Verde, where it covers almost a quarter of the vineyards, especially in the Lima valley |
| Plantings | 6,184 ha (2025), Portugal’s third white grape after Fernão Pires and Arinto |
| In the vineyard | Productive. The best wines come from lower yields around Braga, Ponte de Lima and along the coast. |
| Taste | Bay leaf, lemon, green apple, orange blossom and acacia, light, with fresh acidity and low alcohol |
| Styles | White, pure or blended with Alvarinho, Trajadura or Arinto, and sparkling |
Read more about the other Portuguese grapes in our overview of Portuguese grape varieties.
The true grape of Vinho Verde
Alvarinho is the best-known grape of the north, but Loureiro is the most planted. Alvarinho grows mainly in Monção e Melgaço, along the Spanish border. Loureiro is at home in the green heart of Vinho Verde: along the river Lima, around Braga and Ponte de Lima, where the influence of the ocean is strong. It has been planted in the Minho for centuries.
Pure or with Alvarinho
Pure Loureiro is light and very aromatic, often with only 11 to 12 percent alcohol. Anselmo Mendes makes Muros Antigos from it and Niepoort its Docil. Blended with Alvarinho, Loureiro brings perfume and lightness, Alvarinho more body and length. That is how Soalheiro works in Alma and Allo, and Anselmo Mendes in Passáros.
What to eat with it?
Loureiro is made for the sea: oysters, grilled sardines, mussels, ceviche or Belgian shrimp croquettes. Thanks to its aroma it also suits sushi, a fresh Thai salad or asparagus. And as an aperitif on a summer evening it is hard to beat.
Our wines with Loureiro
Pure or together with Alvarinho. Each bottle shows which grapes it is made from.
Pure Loureiro
Loureiro in a blend
Frequently asked questions about Loureiro
Is Loureiro always a vinho verde?
Almost always. Outside Vinho Verde and Galicia it is rare.
Is Loureiro light or sweet?
Light, but dry. Its floral aroma can make it seem softer than it is.
How long can you keep Loureiro?
Most wines are best within one to two years, when the aroma is at its peak. Good pure Loureiro can keep a few years longer and gains depth.
Plantings: IVV, castas mais utilizadas 2025 (ivv.gov.pt). Background: The Oxford Companion to Wine, via JancisRobinson.com.