Arinto White wine variety

This is a Portuguese white wine variety from the region of Bucelas just north of Lisbon.  In fact the variety is also known as Arinto de Bucelas.

Stanton and Killeen are one of the pioneers of Arinto in Australia

Arinto is one of the varieties which have been identified as able to thrive in hot dry climates and heatwaves. Unlike many other white wine varieties it is capable of maintaining acidity through long hot summers.

In its native Portugal Arinto is the most widely grown white variety. It thrives in a wide range of climates and is used there to make varietal wines, as well as adding acidity and a steely backbone in blends.

Australian winemakers have been impressed by Arinto's ability to produce zingy wines with citrus aromas. While it has very much the new kid on the block here Arinto certainly has a major role to play in the future, and perhaps in more regions than it presently grows. 

Bay of Shoals Arinto from Kangaroo Island

Australian Producers of Arinto

So far there are only a few producers of Arinto in Australia (ten as of August 2020).  But that number is sure to grow. At the end of 2019 I published my Rare Ozzies book with seven producers listed.  Included in the book are comments from Bassham, Ricca Terra, Whistling Eagle and Stanton and Killeen.

• Alejandro Riverland
• Amato Vino Margaret River
• Bassham Riverland
• Bay of Shoals Kangaroo Island
• Dell'uva Wines  Barossa Valley
• Dog Rock Winery  Pyrenees
• Linnaea Heathcote
• Ricca Terra Riverland
• Stanton and Killeen Wines Rutherglen
• Whistling Eagle Wines Heathcote

This dozen contains 2 bottles from each of six different producers in several regions. The varieties included are Alicante Bouschet, Carmenere, Lagrein, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, plus a red blend from Heathcote containing Nero d’Avola, Sangiovese, Lagrein, Schioppettino & a little Lambrusco Maestro.

Details here