Australian Albarinho not the same as Spanish grape

Australian Albarinho is not the promising Spanish variety Albarino. Instead they been supplied with the almost unheard of French variety Savagnin Blanc, this is a very different variety to Sauvignon Blanc.

The error occurred in Spain in 1951 when Albarinho samples where collected for the Encín collection in Spain. Later the Savagnin Blanc that was incorrectly labelled Albarinho was passed on to the collection of Vassal in France and this is where the Australian material was sourced.

The problem existed between 1951 and 1984 and Australia may not be the only country affected, although DNA testing of New Zealand's Albarinho stock has shown to be Albarinho.