Native grape varieties
of the Mediterranean

Palop

Documented in the Valencian Country since 1569, it exists in white, black and pink variants. Coarse-grained grape with firm skin, traditionally used for both table and wine. The Conselleria lists it as a synonym of Valencí Blanc, and García Muñoz's (2011) SSR analysis confirms the Palop-Beba identity. We keep it as a separate entry as a local Valencian designation still awaiting full confirmation across all accessions.

Alarije

White variety from Extremadura known in the Valencian Country as Subirat or Malvasía Riojana, authorized by IGP Castelló. Genetically it is a variety distinct from the traditional Mediterranean Malvasia, despite historical confusion over names. First Valencian record from 1417. 1 accession at the Conselleria CV.

Moravia Dolça

Also known as Crujidera, a name made official by RD 461/2011 (Moravia Dulce or Crujidera). Grown in Requena, Utiel and Camporrobles, in clear decline since the late 20th century. 6 Conselleria accessions, first recorded in 1807. A greenish-white variety with late ripening and good natural acidity, of interest for minimal-intervention wines in a continental climate.

Callet

Native red from Mallorca, a structural variety of Balearic viticulture and present in the Terroir Radical catalogue for its Mediterranean connection to Valencian varieties. Long cycle, good acidity, spiced profile and ripe red fruit. The wineries of Felanitx and the Pla de Mallorca produce its most genuine expressions, many in natural or biodynamic viticulture.

Graciano

Also known as Morrastel. Native to La Rioja and Navarra, present in Utiel-Requena and authorized by IGP Castelló. High acidity, intense color and great ageing potential. Often confused in the field with Monastrell. Highly valued in natural winemaking for its natural freshness in warm climates.

Pampolat

Strictly native to the Alt Palància, pre-phylloxera. Preserved at the Botanical Garden of Valencia and replanted since 2019.

Mondragón

The least documented of the three recovered in the Alt Palància. It does not appear in the VIVC or in the Spanish national registry.

Moscatell de l'Estambul

Native muscat from southern Alicante (Elche), also known as Grumer Moscatel. A cross between Moscatel de Alejandría and Valencí blanc. First recorded in 1878.

Parrel

Known locally as Cabezo Rubio. Native to the Baix Vinalopó, under recovery by DOP Alicante. It contributes intense ruby color and surprisingly high acidity.

Ferrandella

First documented in 1460. A native Valencian variety of very limited distribution, awaiting a complete ampelographic study.

Montalbana

First recorded in 1362, one of the oldest in the Comunitat Valenciana. Native white under recovery.

Blanquet

Documented in the Valencian Country since 1791. A local native white of very restricted distribution.

Gateta

Documented in the Valencian Country since 1791. A red variety of very limited distribution, preserved in Conselleria accessions.

Verdosilla

Native Valencian white historically present in Castellón. Awaiting a thorough genetic study.

Coloraíllo

Native Valencian variety under active recovery in inland Valencia. A red with a medium cycle.

Cor d'Àngel

A new variety in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (Gisbert et al., UPV-COMAV). Ampelographic profiling under way.

Esclafagerres

Pre-phylloxera native variety from the Alicante area. Scarce and at an early stage of recovery.

Planta Mula

Documented in Alicante since 1811. A white of very restricted distribution, preserved in the Conselleria's registry.

Picapoll blanc

Native to Xixona and the southern part of the Valencia-Alicante border. Distinct from the Catalan Picapoll blanc despite sharing the name.

Pàmpol rodat

Documented in the Valencian Country and the Balearic Islands since 1791. A variety of discontinuous, scarce distribution.

Morsí

Native Valencian variety with a confirmed synonymy to Morocco's Sbaa Tolba, evidence of shared Mediterranean winegrowing heritage. Under recovery in scattered locations.

Raïm del Clotet

A new variety in the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (Gisbert et al., UPV-COMAV). Awaiting a complete oenological characterization.

Blanca de Tollo

Rescued in areas of inland Comunitat Valenciana. Scarcely documented, preserved in local accessions.

Pampanat

Characterized by the large size of its green leaves. Limited ampelographic documentation.

Escanyavella

Pre-phylloxera white from the Maestrat and the Vinaròs-Traiguera area. Wines of marked acidity and understated aroma.

Trobat

Ancestral red variety from the comarcas of Lleida and the Catalan Pyrenees. Light, fresh wines, very interesting in mountain viticulture.

Moscatel Serrano

White from the Muscat family typical of high-altitude Catalan areas. Intense floral aromas with good mountain acidity.

Selma blanca

Pre-phylloxera white discovered in the year 2000 on Família Torres' Aiguaviva estate. Awaiting final authorization.

Lledoner pelut

A downy biotype of red Garnacha (Grenache), with leaves and bunches covered in whitish down. Wines of similar structure to Garnacha but with more body.

Querol

Red from the Querol area (Alt Camp), in the same recovery setting as Moneu and Gonfaus. An oenologically little-studied variety.

Garró

The first variety recovered by Bodegas Torres, located in the mid-1980s on the terraces of the Garraf. A documented synonymy with the Valencian Viognier.

Cuatré

Mountain red variety for cool climates, present in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. Short cycle, good acidity.

Vinyater

A historic Penedès white grape that was on the brink of extinction. Recovered as part of Catalan viticultural biodiversity programs.

Picapoll negre

Probably the rarest variety in the catalogue: its range does not go beyond the Pla de Bages and the far reaches of Osona. Distinct from the white Picapoll.

Forcada

Native Catalan variety grown at altitude to preserve freshness. Interesting for making structured white wines in a warm climate.

Pirene

Native Catalan variety successfully grown on high-altitude estates in the Pre-Pyrenees. Good acidity and fresh wines.

Carrega Rucs

The name refers to its historically high productivity. A Catalan red variety under recovery, interesting for its adaptation to the Mediterranean climate.

Escursac

Native to Mallorca, recovered for its good climatic adaptation. A variety in the process of authorization for Balearic wineries.

Giró Ros

One of the most successful additions to the Balearic regulations. Red with late ripening and a good aromatic profile.

Esperó de Gall

Traditional Mallorcan red grape on its way to full authorization. Recovered as part of the Balearic Islands' varietal biodiversity program.

Morsecà

One of the most recent additions to the IRFAP germplasm bank of the Balearic Islands. Very scarce oenological documentation.

Calnegre

Native Murcian variety recovered as part of regional vineyard diversification to combat climate change. Vicente Ovejero (Bizarría) is one of the few who vinifies it.

Carmolí

Native Murcian variety recovered alongside Calnegre as part of regional diversification. Light, fresh wines, little documented oenologically.

Gebas

Murcian red variety recovered in the same diversification effort as Calblanque and Carmolí. Oenological potential yet to be explored.

Calblanque

Murcian white suited to desert and semi-arid climates. Recovered as part of the biodiversity programs of DOP Yecla and Campo de Cartagena.

Argamussa

One of the most eagerly awaited recoveries in Mallorca. Red variety at the stage of genetic and ampelographic characterization.

Coanegra

Located in the valley bearing its name, in Santa Maria del Camí (Mallorca). A red of very localized, scarce distribution.

Grec

Historic white variety from the Pitiusas (Ibiza and Formentera), at an advanced stage of official registration. Probably of Greek or Phoenician origin.

Gafarró

A red grape with a very late cycle, present in the Balearic Islands. Very scarce ampelographic and oenological documentation.

Llora

A red gem recovered in the Balearic archipelago, on its way to authorization. A little-studied variety with good freshness potential.

Ull de llebre ^[Favà]

Name of both vine and black grape with large berries and early ripening, documented in writing since 1871 and used in the Camp de Tarragona, the Urgell, the Segarra, the Maestrat and Mallorca. The growers consulted describe it as a vine with large bunches, elongated berries and thick skin, good for wine. The name comes from the dark spot some berries have at the “eye”, where they join the stalk. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. ull de llebre, p. 357.

Lledoner ^[Favà]

Empordà name for Garnacha, documented in 1775 (lledoner vermell, in Sant Pere Molanta) and in 1845. It exists in black, white, pink and grey subvarieties, with large, compact bunches. The etymology proposed by Joan Veny derives it from the demonym of Lledó d'Empordà (today Lladó), a place with a priory and a wine-growing area; in the Languedoc the lledoner pelut is preserved. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. lledoner, p. 170.

Morvedre ^[Favà]

Name of the vine known in Valencia as monastrell, derived from the medieval place name of Sagunto (Murviedro). According to the sources the book gathers, it spread from Sagunto to the Roussillon, the Languedoc and Provence, where it remains an important red-wine variety (mourvèdre): the Valencian ampelonym returned to its language of origin adapted to French phonetics. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. morvedre, p. 223.

Moscatell romà ^[Favà]

A Muscat subvariety with large, oval berries, later-ripening, documented in texts from 1871, 1890 and 1891. Growers and older sources value it as a table grape, for raisins and for a sweet, aromatic white wine. The name is a demonym (from the city of Rome) that also appears in Spanish and French; according to an 1890 treatise, white Muscat is a single variety also known as large-grained, Roman or golden. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. moscatell romà, p. 233.

Godella ^[Favà]

A grape recorded in Montesa (la Costera) in the Atles Lingüístic del Domini Català. The author attributes the name, probably, to a loan from the Portuguese godelho, a variant of the older agudelho (documented in 1531 and derived from agudo, 'pointed', for the berry's shape), and rules out any relation to the Valencian towns of Godella and Godelleta. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. godella, p. 144.

Cartoixà ^[Favà]

A golden white grape, documented since 1871 in the Camp de Tarragona, Menorca and the Conca de Barberà, with large, tight bunches, sweet and very productive according to an 1890 ampelographer. Older sources give it as a synonym of xarel·lo and of pansalet. The Diccionari català-valencià-balear links the name to the Scala Dei charterhouse, in the context of vines spreading through monasteries. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. cartoixà, p. 82.

Mollar ^[Favà]

A white or black grape variety documented since the 18th century (1787, in Mallorca) and known under variants such as molli, mollinc or mollaró in Girona, the Empordà, the Camp de Tarragona, the Urgell and the Segarra. Descriptions note juicy but not very flavorful berries and a thin wine. The name comes from the Latin mollis, 'soft', like other easily crushed fruits. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. mollar, p. 204.

Fogoneu ^[Favà]

A native Balearic vine and grape, documented in 1871 and 1877, with small, tight bunches and round black berries. It produces a lot of red wine, but of poor quality, and is not good for eating. Coromines suggests the name has nothing to do with fire, but instead derives from an Occitan form related to the bean or pulse, for the size and shape of the berries. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. fogoneu, p. 117.

Tarragoní ^[Favà]

An ampelonym recorded in Tarragona, Montblanc, l'Espluga de Francolí, Tremp and Barberà, with a demonymic name the author links to the fame of Tarragona's wines. Sources describe it inconsistently: a black grape with elongated berries similar to macabeo, according to some; white according to another. The author warns there isn't enough data to confirm its synonyms. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. tarragoní, p. 343.

Ull de perdiu ^[Favà]

First documented in 1617, as the name of a medicinal wine («vi de ull de perdiu»). As a vine it is described with small, round berries, between reddish and dark, sweet but with pips, giving a well-bodied wine; found in Gandesa, Sarral and Mallorca. The author thinks the name refers to the dark spot around the berry's stalk, not just its color, as with ull de llebre. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. ull de perdiu, p. 359.

Planta nova ^[Favà]

A late-ripening white grape, with large berries and thick skin, for table use and for low-strength wine, documented since 1877 and 1891 and recorded in Xàtiva, Torís, Llíria, Ontinyent, Xàbia and other Valencian towns. According to two Valencian ampelographers, it is also called Tardana and Coma. The name indicates a 'planting' introduced more recently than another already existing one. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. planta nova, p. 287.

Pansa valenciana ^[Favà]

A white or pink grape with large berries and thin skin, documented since 1797 in the Penedès, Àger, Sarral, Calonge de Mar and other places. Used for the table and for hanging (raisins), especially when scalded. The name combines 'pansa' (raisin grape) and the demonym pointing to its Valencian origin. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. pansa valenciana, p. 259.

Requeno ^[Favà]

A vine with large black bunches, very productive, recorded in Tortosa, Vinaròs, Gandesa, Traiguera and other places. It has been described with large, round berries, rough skin, late ripening and low-strength wine. The name comes from the comarca of Requena; in Gandesa a distinction is made between the requeno boval (the coarser one) and the requeno fi. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. requeno, p. 311.

Borret ^[Favà]

An ampelonym of Occitan origin (terret-borret), with very tight, honey-colored bunches, recorded in the Roussillon and in Alcalà de Xivert. The name refers to a type of vine with downy, hair-covered shoots, which would have been transferred to the grape by extension. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. borret, p. 55.

Jaumet ^[Favà]

An early table grape, ripening around Sant Jaume's day (25 July). Documented in 1866 in the Roussillon and recorded in Gandesa, Vilajuïga, Llançà, Roses and Mallorca (jaumillo). According to the descriptions, it has a small, sweet berry, white or reddish, and can also give a high-strength wine. The name is explained by Joan Veny through its ripening tied to a feast day. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. jaumet, p. 165.

Ribot ^[Favà]

A black grape vine with small, round berries, documented in 1871 and 1878 in Lleida and recorded in La Llitera, Tremp, the Urgell and Peralta de la Sal. It stands out above all as a wine grape. According to the author, the name appears to be of French origin (in La Franja some speakers call it «ribot gavatxo», i.e. French). Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. ribot, p. 313.

Rosselló ^[Favà]

A large black grape vine, with round berries and rough skin, recorded in la Sorollera: it ripens late and gives a thin wine. The name points to the Roussillon, through which teinturier hybrid vines entered the Peninsula. According to the author, it is a geosynonym of alicant(e) and of garnacha tintorera. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. rosselló, p. 319.

Xixona ^[Favà]

A late table grape, with round, golden berries, cited in 1797 by Cavanilles and in 1871 as «pansa de Xixona». The name refers to the comarca of Xixona (Alacantí), known for its late grapes and its raisins. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. xixona, p. 383.

Verdala ^[Favà]

A white or greenish grape, with large, very tight berries, little grown (verdalet in Montblanc, verdala in Tordera). In the 19th century it is documented as «planta verdalenca», a lower-quality dessert grape, and in l'Alguer as birde. The name comes from verd ('green'), probably for its color, though green is also associated with a lack of ripeness. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. verdala, p. 369.

Formigor ^[Favà]

A Mallorcan ampelonym documented in 1877 as formigó: a reddish-black grape, poor for eating and not very good for wine. The author acknowledges having little information and suggests the name may refer to the tingling the wine would cause on the palate. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. formigor, p. 121.

Manuella ^[Favà]

A white grape recorded in Tarragona. The author supposes the name is the feminine of manuell ('little finger'), for the size and elongated shape of the berry, in parallel with the grapes called «maiden's fingers» in Spanish and «dedo-de-dama» in Portuguese. Source: Favà i Agud (2001), Diccionari dels noms de ceps i raïms, IEC, s. v. manuella, p. 197.

Moscatell roig

A pink-hued variant of the Muscat family, present in the Comunitat Valenciana since 1791. Floral and citrus aromas typical of the family.

Malvasia aromàtica

Aromatic biotype of the Malvasia family present in the Marina Alta. Registered as a distinct variety by the Conselleria d'Agricultura CV.

Vermentino

White from the western Mediterranean: Sardinia, Liguria, Corsica, Provence. Lemon and aromatic-herb notes with a slightly bitter finish. The Sardinian version (Vermentino di Gallura DOCG) is the most renowned.

Nero d'Avola

The emblem of Sicilian viticulture. A late-ripening red, dense pulp and soft tannins with dark fruit and chocolate notes. Mediterranean heat and dryness favor its concentration.

Aglianico

The great red of Italy's Mediterranean, native to the south of the Italian peninsula. Energetic tannins, high acidity and structure for long ageing. The base of Taurasi DOCG.

Assyrtiko

Native to Santorini, grown as basket-shaped vines on volcanic soil. Bright acidity, volcanic minerality and good ageing potential despite the extremely hot, dry climate.

Xinomavro

Greece's great red, native to Macedonia (Naoussa, Amindeon). Marked tannins, high acidity and red-fruit colors that evolve into complex tertiary notes. Exceptional ageing potential.

Malagousia

Greek white almost extinct in the 1970s, rescued by Evangelos Gerovassiliou. Strongly marked floral and exotic-fruit aromas, moderate acidity, interesting for terroir-driven wines.

Plavac Mali

Native red from Dalmatia, descended from Tribidrag (=Zinfandel/Primitivo). Wines of great concentration and alcohol, with intense dark fruit. Dingač is its most celebrated expression.

Malvazija Istarska

The dominant white of Istria (Croatia and Slovenia), distinct from Mediterranean Malvasia. Wines of subtle aromas, medium body and a unique texture that Istria's natural producers have known how to enhance.

Picpoul

White from the Languedoc (Pinet), an Occitan name meaning 'stings the lip' for its high natural acidity. Ideal with shellfish and for minimal-intervention wines in a Mediterranean climate.

Roussanne

Native to the northern Rhône valley (Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage). A white of great aromatic complexity, floral and yellow-fruit notes, high structure and ageing potential.

Clairette

White from Provence and the Languedoc, base of Clairette de Die (ancestral sparkling wine). Understated aromas, moderate acidity and good resistance to oxidation in natural winemaking.

Cinsault

The Mediterranean French variety par excellence, from Provence to the Roussillon. Used in blends and rosés for its acidity and soft tannins. Genetic father of Pinotage (Cinsault × Pinot Noir).

Mauzac

White from southwest France, base of Blanquette de Limoux, documented since 1531 and considered by some historians the first sparkling wine made using the ancestral method.

Godello

A great white from the northwest Iberian Peninsula, almost extinct in the 1970s, rescued from the 1980s onward. Low yield, great acidity and structure. The great reference of quality Atlantic Iberian viticulture.

Sangiovese

Italy's most planted red variety, the base of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. High acidity, dry tannins and years-long barrel ageing. Highly sensitive to terroir.

Moravia Agria

Native to Castilla-La Mancha, in clear decline since 1995. Not to be confused with Moravia Dulce/Crujidera. Vinified by Vicente Ovejero (Bizarría Wines) as a structural variety in his wines.

Gorgollassa

Native variety recently authorized in Mallorca. Wines of low-to-medium color, similar to a Pinot Noir, with a high concentration of floral aromas and delicate red fruit.

Nerello Mascalese

Native to Etna (Sicily), grown at 600–1,000 m on lava soils. An exceptionally elegant profile compared to Pinot Noir: light color, volcanic acidity and great depth.

Carricante

Native white from eastern Etna (Milo, Zafferana). Volcanic acidity, dry-stone minerality and great freshness. Very few hectares, vinified by heroic-viticulture producers.

Fiano

Native to Campania, documented since Roman times. Dense wines with acacia honey, toasted nuts and acidity that allows long ageing.