Albillo Real

Albillo Real is a variety of Spanish white grape, especially linked to the central part of the peninsula and, above all, to San Martín de Valdeiglesias (Madrid) and Cebreros (Ávila). It is a historic variety, early-ripening, with thin skin and a fairly high sugar concentration.

In wine, it usually produces whites with good body and an unctuous texture, moderate acidity, and aromas of white fruit, pear, apple, stone fruit, and white flowers. With lees or barrel aging, it can produce quite complex, structured wines with aging potential.

It is an early-ripening variety that has traditionally been prized for its ability to achieve a good sugar concentration.

Its bunches are usually relatively small and compact, and its berries have thin skin and juicy pulp.

One of the most interesting characteristics of Albillo Real is that it can produce white wines with considerably more volume, structure, and texture than is usually expected from a white variety.

It has a particularly important historical presence in central Spain, including:

• Sierra de Gredos
• Community of Madrid
• Ávila
• Toledo

In the Gredos area, there are some old Albillo Real vineyards at considerable altitude, which have helped revive interest in the variety.

Albillo Real grown in a warm area can be ripe, alcoholic, and very broad, while in higher-altitude vineyards it can retain more freshness and develop a much more delicate profile.

When assessing an Albillo Real, altitude, vine age, harvest date, and soil type are very important, as is the winemaking.