Rufete

Synonyms: castellana (Galicia), preto rifete, rosette, penamacor (Portugal).

It is a demanding, late ripening variety. It needs specific conditions to ripen well and produce high quality grapes.

It is grown mainly in Pinhel, Castelo de Rodrigo and Dão (Portugal), and in Spain it is the protagonist of the quality wine of Sierra de Salamanca.

Stylistically it is attributed with wines of low color, high acidity and astringent tannins, except in specific years, where good winemakers produce wines rich in color and body, with red fruit aromas and high aging potential. In Salamanca the style of rufete is different, its robe is low to medium, in the nose it has predominantly red fruit with wild herbal notes; and in the mouth it has moderate alcohol, low to medium body and outstanding acidity. Likewise, in Spain we also have wines of very good quality, with a higher layer, greater structure and riper fruit.