The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Acería, Acerias, Alarije Dorada, Alarije Dorado, Alarije Verdoso, Alaris, Alariz, Arin, Aris, Ariz, Barcelonés, Blanca Roja, Cagazal, Coloraillo Gordo, Coloraillo Pequeno, Esclafacharra, Esclafacherri, Malfar, Malvasia, Malvasía Blanca, Malvasia Comun, Malvasia de Rioja, Malvasia Riojana, Pirulés Dorada, Pirulés Verde, Rojal, Rojal Blanco, Royal, Subirat Parent, Tobia, Torrontés, Turrontés and Villanueva de la Serena. It should not be confused with Coloraillo and the various Malvasia or Torrontés varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2021, it originated from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x Folha de Figueira. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see Molecular genetics). The varieties Alarije Dorado and Alarije Verdoso are clonal mutants.
The presumably very old grape variety originates from the region of Extremadura. It was first mentioned in 1448 in a document of the monastery María de Guadelupe (province of Cáceres) as the main variety of the area, as well as in 1513 by the Spanish agronomist Gabriel Alonso de Herrera (1470-1539) under the name Alarize. The late-ripening, high-yielding vine is susceptible to fungal diseases. It yields greenish-yellow white wines that tend to oxidise. The variety is cultivated in the Spanish regions of Extremadura (DO area Ribera del Guadiana) and Galicia. In 2016, 4,407 hectares of vineyards were reported, with an upward trend. The variety is thus ranked 126th in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Leaf: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
