🍇 Moreto

Moreto is a black-skinned wine grape variety (Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa) from Portugal. VIVC passport number 7992 records the prime name MORETO, the berry skin colour noir (black), hermaphrodite flowers, use as a wine grape and Portugal as the country of origin.

According to VIVC the parents are Cayetana Blanca and Alfrocheiro, and the parentage is confirmed by markers. The passport lists synonyms including Moreto d'Alentejo, Moreto do Alentejo, Moretto, Morito, Murete, Mureto, Mureto do Alentejo and Tinta de Alter. VIVC also marks the variety as registered in the European Catalogue of grapevine varieties and gives 11 holding institutions in several countries.

The Wines of Portugal grape page lists Moreto among the red grapes of Alentejo, where it is grown in Reguengos, Redondo and above all Granja-Amareleja. It describes the variety as in clear decline, although it still occupies a prominent area in the region.

The same page describes a strong-growing, high-yielding vine that adapts easily to high temperatures and strong sunshine, with small clusters and round berries of moderate size. Its wines have low sugar content and low potential alcohol, a vague aromatic expression and limited ageing capacity, so they are generally kept for blends with Trincadeira, Aragonez and Tinta Caiada.

On an EU wine label the name of a variety may be used if at least 85 % of the wine comes from it (Article 50 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33).