Albillo Criollo

Grape variety	Albillo Criollo
Synonyms	Known alternatively as Albillo Real and simply Albillo.
Grape colour	White grape
History	The Albillo Criollo grape has roots tracing back to the 16th century, where it was highly favored in the royal court of Madrid. Its maturation process took place in the chilly barrels of Avila, inspiring the saying, 'St. Martin's wine stuck in Avila earns a bloom'. Originally consumed as table grapes, its popularity waned with the rise of the Roman muscat and Italian grapes for this purpose. The Albillo grape first appears in written records in Gabriel Alonso De Herrera's 'General Agriculture (1513)', in which the wine is described as 'delicate, light color'. He also noted that the wine could be stored for a period and 'its quality enhanced if blended with silky moscato.'
Characteristics of the wine	The Albillo Criollo grape yields a wine of subtle aromatics and a high sugar content, resulting in a particularly smooth wine. It's often used in the red wines of the Ribera del Duero region to impart unique nuances. The resulting wine is light, fresh, and versatile with a hint of minerality, making it a perfect complement to a variety of dishes.
Ampelographic features	The Albillo Criollo grape is distinguished by its small, compact clusters of yellow grapes. The vine leaves are medium-sized, five-lobed and slightly open. The branches are long and flexible, with a second bud that is highly productive.