Avesso, meaning ‘contrary’, a fitting description for this white grape planted in the vinho verde region of northern portugal where, unlike the other principal grape varieties in the region, it ripens sufficiently to produce wines of 12–13% alcohol. Mostly planted close to the lower reaches of the River douro, it is now being produced as a varietal wine. Plantings totalled 730 ha/1,804 acres in 2010.
© Jancis Robinson and Oxford University Press 1994, 1999, 2006, 2015
