Airén

Meet a golden girl who doesn’t mind the sun or the heat. Even in dry, barren land, she stands tall and graceful - strong yet gentle, calm yet warm. She’s the kind of girl everyone loves…

Did you know?

Airén is Spain’s most planted white grape and used to be the most planted grape overall in the country. It’s mostly grown in Castilla-La Mancha (especially Valdepeñas and La Mancha) and other inland regions like Madrid.

Viticulture & Traits

- Very drought-tolerant and hardy—handles dry, hot climate and poor soils well.

- High yield; late to bud burst and fairly late to ripen.

- Traditionally planted at low vine density.

Flavor

- Usually produces light-to-medium light bodied white wines with subtle flavours: green apple, pear, citrus, pineapple, sometimes rose or floral notes.

- Colour is often pale yellow. Acidity tends to be moderate to low.

- Often used in blends or for brandy production, not often bottled “just Airén”

New-Wave & Potential

- Some winemakers now work with old vines, restricted yields, different fermentations (unoaked, oak-aged, skin contact) to push Airén beyond its neutral reputation.

-  It’s being rediscovered for its food friendliness and ability to express terroir when treated carefully.

If Airén were a lady

About Airén