Rabigato

Rabigato is a rare Portuguese white wine grape variety, mainly cultivated in the Douro Superior. It is also grown in the adjacent uplands of Trás-os-Montes and downriver around the city of Porto. Its name means cat’s tail; this seems to refer to the shape of the grape clusters.

The variety produces lively, crisp wines with subtle floral aromas which can often age well while retaining freshness. However, these characteristics have led to Rabigato being valued as a blending partner for lower-acid varieties, and it is most often used as a component of the Douro region’s white wine blends. Single variety bottlings are becoming slightly more common as the variety gains recognition for its quality.