{{Short description|Variety of grape}} {{redirect|Carvalha|the red Portuguese wine grape also known as Carvalha|Tinta Carvalha}}
{{Infobox grape variety | name = Azal branco | color = Blanc | color_alt = White | image = <!-- Image of grape bunch --> | caption = <!-- Caption of image --> | species = ''Vitis vinifera'' | also_called = See list of synonyms | origin = Portugal | hazards = <!-- Viticultural hazards --> | regions = Vinho Verde | wines = }}
'''Azal branco''' is a white Portuguese wine grape<ref name="VIVC">[http://www.vivc.de/datasheet/dataResult.php?data=815 Azal branco], Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed on June 27, 2010</ref> planted primarily in the Minho region but with greater expansion to Amarante, Basto, Baião and Vale do Sousa sub-regions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vinetowinecircle.com/castas_post/azal/|title=Azal -|work=Vine to Wine Circle|access-date=2018-09-07|language=pt-PT}}</ref> It noted for the high acidity of its wines, and is used for white Vinho Verde.<ref name="Robinson pg 100">J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third Edition pg 100 Abbeville Press 2003 {{ISBN|0-7892-0883-0}}</ref> Varietal Azal Branco wines can be somewhat reminiscent of Riesling.
Total Portuguese plantations are around {{convert|5100|ha}}, which makes it the second-most planted grape variety of Minho, after Loureiro.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor=Jancis Robinson |editor-link=Jancis Robinson |encyclopedia=Oxford Companion to Wine |edition=3rd |title=Azal branco |year=2006 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-860990-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/56 56] |url=https://archive.org/details/oxfordcompaniont00janc/page/56 }}</ref>
The Azal variety provides an intense green color when maturated and an aroma of citric fruits (such as lemon or green apple)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vinhoverde.pt/pt/castas|title=Castas|last=CVRVV|website=www.vinhoverde.pt|access-date=2018-09-07}}</ref> and nuts. It produces young, fresh yet acidic wines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vidarural.pt/insights/castas-de-portugal-azal/|title=Castas de Portugal: Azal - Vida Rural|date=2016-01-28|work=Vida Rural|access-date=2018-09-07|language=pt-PT}}</ref>
==Synonyms== Azal branco is also known under the synonyms Asal branco, Asal da Lixa, Azal bianco, Azal da Lixa, Carvalha, Carvalhal, Es Pinheira, Gadelhudo, and Pinheira.<ref name="VIVC"/>
==See also== *Azal tinto *List of Portuguese grape varieties
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:White wine grape varieties