Donzelinho branco

DNA profiling also demonstrated that despite sharing several synonyms that Donzelinho branco has no close genetic relationship to the Portuguese wine grapes Rabigato, Terrantez and Folgasão.

[1] Despite having very small and compact clusters, the thick skin of the Donzelinho branco berries gives the grape good resistance to most mildew and fungal problems but the vine is still susceptible to the viticultural hazards of frost due to it budding early in the growing season.

Donzelinho branco is a mid-ripening variety that has a natural tendency towards low yields due to the vine's poor fertility.

This means that growers will often "long prune", leaving additional buds on the fruiting cane to compensate for the low crop load.

In the 2010 census of Portuguese grapes, there were 42 hectares (100 acres) of Donzelinho branco planted, a decline from 15 years earlier.

An 1868 drawing of vines growing in front of the commune of Lamego where Donzelinho branco has a history of being grown.
Donzelinho branco's tendency to bud early in the growing seasons leaves the vine susceptible to early spring time frost.
Donzelinho branco is planted in the Douro region where it can be used in several wines, particularly the Vinho Regional wines of the Duriense.