Graciano
It is a variety native to La Rioja. Its name comes from the “Gracia” (grace), which contributes in blends with other wines. It is also grown in Spain under the name of Tintilla de Rota, in Portugal (Tinta Miuda), on the Italian island of Sardinia (Cagnulari), in France, Algeria, Australia, South Africa (Morrastel) and California (Xeres).
CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN
YEAR |
1990 | 1999 | 2009 |
HECTARES |
255 | 370 | 1816 |
CULTIVATED AREA IN FRANCE (MORRASTEL)
YEAR |
1968 | 1979 | 1988 | 1998 | 2006 |
HECTARES |
– | – | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Budburst period: late.
Ripening period: medium-late.
Yield: good and constant.
Ampelographic characters:
the bud has an open apex, with a marked anthocyanin pigmentation and a cottony appearance. The leaf is five-lobed, pentagonal and medium sized. The petiolar sinus is closed and U-shaped. The cluster is large and short, with cylindrical wings, less prominent than in Tempranillo, and not hanging down. The berry is round, quite small and has an intense black colour, thin skin with hard and colourless pulp and with very thick seeds. The whole budburst has a reddish appearance, which makes it easily distinguishable in spring.
Cultural aptitude:
good vigour and upright growth habit. Drought tolerant, suitable to any kind of soils.
Training system and pruning:
adaptable to contained training systems and short pruning.
Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:
medium-high susceptibility to downy mildew and powdery mildew. Susceptible to botrytis; very susceptible to humidity.
Enological potential:
it produces bright red, aromatic wines with high acidity, used especially in blends to gain longevity.
Clones in propagation:
Graciano (Spanish clones): RJ57, RJ62, RJ103, RJ117.
Clones undergoing homologation procedure:
VCR442, VCR443, VCR444, VCR445.
Vineyards in Rioja Alavesa. Source: Antonio Remesal Villar