Winemaker Notes
Outshining all other white vine varieties in the world as far as vineyard acreage—though that is also because lack of water forces low density planting—Airén is ultimately an important Spanish wine grape. Airén vines prefer training into low bushes, which make them resistant to drought. Used traditionally in La Mancha and Valdepeñas for blending with the Tempranillo, it is becoming more fashionable when vinified as a crisp, youthful, single varietal white. Somm Secret—In the Canary Islands, Airén goes by Burra Blanca (meaning "white donkey"), and takes to blending with Malvasia, Breval and Listan Blanco (Palomino).
The Moors gave it the name, ‘Manxa,’ which fittingly means ‘parched earth.’ La Mancha, the largest Spanish wine producing region in all of Spain, is one of its hottest and driest. Sturdy and drought-resistant white varieietes like Airen, Viura and Verdejo thrive in this environment.