Appears in
Oxford Companion to Wine

By Jancis Robinson

Published 2006

  • About

Síria, old, light-berried vine variety with many synonyms grown on 7,707 ha/19,036 acres all over Portugal where it is the second most planted white wine grape. Wines are aromatic but often age rapidly. It is known as Crato Branco in the Algarve, Roupeiro and Alva in Alentejo, and Códega in the Douro (distinct from códega de larinho). It was also known in Spain in the 16th century. Nearly 600 ha remained in 2011, mainly in Galicia. It is often known as Doña Blanca although it is known as Cigüente in Extremadura.