Grape in the spotlight
Arinto: the freshness of Portugal
Arinto is the grape that gives Portuguese white wine its acidity. It grows from the Vinho Verde to the Alentejo, and keeps its freshness even in hot regions. On its own it makes taut wine full of citrus. In a blend it is often the backbone.
Arinto at a glance
| Origin | Bucelas, just north of Lisbon; its full name is Arinto de Bucelas |
|---|---|
| Plantings | 6,288 ha (2025), Portugal's second white grape, after Fernão Pires |
| Where | Almost everywhere. Most of all in the Vinho Verde (where it is called Pedernã), then in the Alentejo, Lisboa and the Douro |
| Taste | Lemon, lime and green apple, with high acidity and a taut, mineral finish |
| Role | Main grape of Bucelas (at least 75%), elsewhere the freshness in a blend; also a good base for sparkling wine |
| Note | Arinto do Dão is a different grape: it is the Dão name for Malvasia Fina |
Read more about the other Portuguese grapes in our overview of Portuguese grape varieties.
Bucelas: Shakespeare's white wine
Arinto comes from Bucelas, a tiny appellation just north of Lisbon. In 2020 there were barely 138 hectares of vineyards. Yet Bucelas has a rich history. The wine used to be fortified, and it is thought to be the "Charneco" Shakespeare mentions in Henry IV, named after one of the local villages. After the Napoleonic Wars the Duke of Wellington made the wine popular in Britain, where for a time it was sold as "Portuguese hock".
Today a wine from Bucelas must be at least 75% Arinto. Thanks to the cool Atlantic breeze that blows in through the Trancão valley, the grape makes dry, fresh and fruity white wine there. Our Bucelas comes from Quinta da Murta, where French engineer Franck Bodin converted the vineyards to biodynamics: one hundred per cent Arinto, fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in stainless steel on its fine lees.
Why Arinto is everywhere
Arinto's great asset is that it holds on to its acidity, even in the heat. In a country with long, hot summers, that is worth its weight in gold. Winemakers in the Alentejo or the Douro therefore often add Arinto to their blend: not to define the taste, but to keep the wine fresh and lively.
Remarkably, most Arinto today is not in Bucelas but in the Vinho Verde. There the grape is called Pedernã, and it covers some 2,900 hectares, about an eighth of the region. It grows alongside Loureiro, Alvarinho, Avesso and Trajadura.
That fits the way we look at Portuguese wine. Arinto rarely plays the soloist; it makes the other grapes better. Almost all our wines with Arinto are blends, often from old, mixed vineyards.
What does Arinto taste like?
Served young, you smell lemon, lime and green apple, sometimes with a hint of white flowers. On the palate Arinto is taut and juicy, with an acidity you notice straight away and a dry, slightly salty finish. Light, fresh versions are perfect as an aperitif or with fish.
Arinto can also be made in other ways. On its lees or in barrel it becomes rounder and fuller, without losing its freshness. With skin contact you get an orange wine with a little more grip, as at Humus. And because the acidity stays so high, Arinto is an excellent base for traditional-method sparkling wine.
What to eat with Arinto?
Arinto is at its best with anything salty, fried or creamy. Think of oysters, grilled sardines, ceviche or a piece of fish with lemon. The acidity cuts through the fat of fried snacks: pastéis de bacalhau, tempura, or a Belgian classic such as shrimp croquettes.
A fresh goat's cheese works well too, as does a salad with citrus or green asparagus. The fuller, barrel-aged Arintos go with poultry or veal in a creamy sauce.
Looking for a wine to go with a particular dish? Try our wine and food guide.
Our wines with Arinto
From pure Arinto from Bucelas to blends in which Arinto provides the freshness. Each bottle shows which grapes it is made from.
Pure Arinto from Bucelas
Lisboa: natural and idiosyncratic
Alentejo: freshness in a hot region
Douro, Dão, Bairrada and Vinho Verde
Bubbles from the Bairrada
Other faces: palhete and red
Frequently asked questions about Arinto
Is Arinto the same as Pedernã?
Yes. In the Vinho Verde, Arinto is called Pedernã. It is in fact the region with the most Arinto in Portugal.
Is Arinto do Dão also Arinto?
No. Arinto do Dão is another name for Malvasia Fina. Arinto dos Açores, from the Azores, is also a separate grape.
Why is Arinto in so many blends?
Because it holds on to its acidity, even in hot regions. Winemakers add it to keep their wine fresh and lively, without it taking over the taste.
Can you age Arinto?
Arinto from Bucelas is known to become more complex with age. Even so, most wines in our range are best drunk young, when fruit and freshness come first.
Plantings: IVV, castas mais utilizadas 2025 (ivv.gov.pt). Background on Arinto and Bucelas: The Oxford Companion to Wine, via JancisRobinson.com.