Parraleta is a red

Spanish wine Spanish wine ( or ) includes red wine, red, white wine, white, and sparkling wine, sparkling wines produced throughout the country. Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has over planted in wine grapes, making it the most widely planted wine- ...

grape variety This list of grape varieties includes cultivated grapes, whether used for wine, or eating as a table grape, fresh or dried (raisin, Zante currant, currant, sultana (grape), sultana). For a complete list of all grape species, including those unimp ...

which might also be known under various other names, such as Tinta Caiada ( Alentejo, Portugal) in several

Mediterranean countries The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern Eur ...

. Parraleta is chosen as a prime name as it (old synonym Parrel) was used in

Somontano Somontano is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) for wines, created in 1984, and located in the county of the same name, in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. It borders the regions of Sobrarbe and Ribagorza in the north, H ...

, region located in the north-east Spain, which is its likely place of origin. DNA profiles of Tinta Caiada ( Alentejo, Portugal), and Carenisca (

Sardinia, Italy Sardinia ( ; ; ) is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and one of the twenty regions of Italy. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia and 16.45 km south of the French island of ...

), and Salceño Negro ( Somontano, Spain) with that of Parraleta suggests that they are one and the same variety.J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz ''Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours'' pgs 89-90 Allen Lane 2012

History

The origin of Parraleta is uncertain, other than it seems to have appeared in

. It was considered to be synonymous with

Graciano Graciano is a Spanish red wine grape that is grown primarily in Rioja. The vine produces a low yield that are normally harvested in late October. The wine produced is characterized by its deep red color, strong aroma and ability to age ...

, but this has been disapproved, although there is sufficient similarity to suggest a possible parental relationship.C. Montaner, J. P. Martínb, J. Casanovaa, C. Martía, D. Badíaa, F. Cabelloc and J. M. Ortiz. "Application of microsatellite markers for the characterization of ‘Parraleta’: an autochthonous Spanish grapevine cultivar". ''Scientia Horticulturae'' Volume 101, Issue 3, 10 September 2004, pp. 343-347 It has been also speculated that Parraleta is closely related to

Vermentino Nero Vermentino nero is a red Italian wine grape variety that is predominantly grown in province of Massa-Carrara in Tuscany (wine), Tuscany. After World War II, the vine was almost lost to extinction until Podere Scurtarola, a producer from Massa, Tus ...

(

Toscana Tuscany ( ; ) is a region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of 3,660,834 inhabitants as of 2025. The capital city is Florence. Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high cu ...

Liguria Liguria (; ; , ) is a Regions of Italy, region of north-western Italy; its Capital city, capital is Genoa. Its territory is crossed by the Alps and the Apennine Mountains, Apennines Mountain chain, mountain range and is roughly coextensive with ...

) however this has not yet been tested by DNA analysis. Although Parraleta is known as Carcajolo Nero on Corsica Island (

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

), it has been proved that it is not a color mutation of

Bariadorgia Bariadorgia (also known as Carcajolo blanc) is a white Italian/French wine grape variety that likely originated on the island of Sardinia but today is only found in limited planting on Corsica. Despite similarities in synonyms, Bariadorgia/Carcajol ...

, which is also called Carcajolo Blanc.

Distribution and wines

Appears to be produced only in DO

, where its importance has declined from 22% of the planted area in 1975 to only 0.2% in 2002. It is reported to produce wines with good colour, structure, acidity and fragrance.

Vine and viticulture

Parraleta is a low yielding variety

H. Johnson Herman "H." Johnson (born 1937) is an American radio personality in Atlanta, Georgia. He is known for his weekly program "Jazz Classics" which he has hosted since 1978 on WABE (FM), WABE, North Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia's local NPR affiliate. ...

& J. Robinson ''The World Atlas of Wine'', 5th ed., p. 195. Mitchell Beazley (2001) giving round mid-sized berries in small to medium and moderately compact bunches. It can be used to make varietal wine or blend most commonly with Moristel or

Tempranillo Tempranillo (also known as Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto Fino and Tinta del País in Spain, Aragonez or Tinta Roriz in Portugal, and several other synonyms elsewhere) is a black grape variety widely grown to make full-bodied red wines in it ...

. The wines usually have intense color, high phenol and acidity. The alcohol content is potentially higher however wines are often noted for aromatic flavors.

Synonyms

Genetically verified synonyms: Carenisca (

Sardinia Sardinia ( ; ; ) is the Mediterranean islands#By area, second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and one of the Regions of Italy, twenty regions of Italy. It is located west of the Italian Peninsula, north of Tunisia an ...

), Monvedro ( Bucelas, Portugal), Salceño Negro (

), Tinta Caiada ( Alentejo, Portugal). Other known synonyms: Bonifaccencu or Bonifacienco (

), Bonvedro or Bomvedro ( Bucelas in Portugal,

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

), Carcaghjolu Neru (

Corsica Corsica ( , , ; ; ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of the Metro ...

), Carcajolo Nero or Carcajolo Noir (

), Caricagiola (Gallura in

), Cua Tendra ( Lérida, Spain), Espagnin Noir (

), False Carignan (

), Lambrusco de Alentejo (

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

), or Monvedro do Algarve (

Algarve, Portugal The Algarve (, , ) is the southernmost NUTS statistical regions of Portugal, NUTS II region of continental Portugal. It has an area of with 467,495 permanent inhabitants and incorporates 16 municipalities (concelho, ''concelhos'' or ''município ...

), Monvedro de Sines (

), Olho Branco ( Dão, Portugal), Parrel ( Somontano, Spain), Pau Ferro (

), Perrel, Preto Foz ( Dão, Portugal), Preto João Mendes (

), Tinta Grossa (

Alenquer, Portugal Alenquer (), officially the Town of Alenquer (), is a Portuguese municipality in the Lisbon District and in the Oeste region. The population in 2011 was 43,267,Douro The Douro (, , , ; ; ) is the largest river of the Iberian Peninsula by discharge. It rises near Duruelo de la Sierra in the Spanish Soria Province, province of Soria, meanders briefly south, then flows generally west through the northern par ...

), Tintorro (

Alenquer, Portugal Alenquer (), officially the Town of Alenquer (), is a Portuguese municipality in the Lisbon District and in the Oeste region. The population in 2011 was 43,267,Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

). Varieties commonly mistaken for Parraleta:

Mazuelo Carignan (; also known as Mazuelo, Bovale Grande, Cariñena, Carinyena, Samsó, Carignane, and Carignano) is a red grape variety of Spanish origin that is more commonly found in French wine but is widely planted throughout the western Mediter ...

, Monvedro ( Dâo).

References

{{Reflist Red wine grape varieties Grape varieties of Spain