Rabigato

Rabigato is an indigenous Portuguese white grape variety grown almost exclusively in the Douro region. It is known for its powerful aromas, high acidity and versatility in winemaking.

Rabigato is a medium-sized, yellow-green grape with thick skin. The variety is known for its intense aromas of lemon and orange blossom as well as having vegetal or mineral notes. Its taste is fresh and acidic, with flavours of green apple, pear, white peach and white flowers.

Rabigato is grown almost exclusively in the Douro region of Portugal. It is mostly found in the cooler parts of the region, near the Douro River and in the higher altitude vineyards. Rabigato is an early to mid ripening variety, capable of producing wines with high levels of acidity and structure. It is often blended with other white varieties and hardly found as monovarietal wine. Rabigato is used for the production of Douro white wines or white fortified Port wines. Rabigato pairs well with a range of different dishes, such as seafood and light meats. The variety is also a great accompaniment to dishes with strong, fruity flavours, such as ceviche or grilled vegetables.

Rabigato is portuguese and translates into 'the cat’s tail".

This terminology seems to refer to the shape of the grape clusters.