Grape variety and grafted vine plant Castelao: all the secrets

Castelao

This variety is of Portuguese origin, from the south of the country, and locally also known as João de Santarém or Periquita.

CULTIVATED AREA IN PORTUGAL

YEAR	1989	2000	2011
HECTARES	20.315	20.500	9.079

Budburst period: early.
Ripening period: medium.
Yield: rich.

Ampelographic characters:

the bud has a whitish apex with slightly carminate edges. The medium, pentagonal leaf presents a bottom page with high density of laying hairs and opened petiolar sinus. The cluster is medium-large, conical and compact. The berry is medium
in size and spheroidal. The skin is thick, the pulp juicy.

Cultural aptitude:

vine of medium-high vigour and upright growth habit. Very versatile and adaptable to different growing areas, it still prefers loose and deep soils with warm temperate climate so that to complete the ripening process. In cold and rainy springs, it can be susceptible to coulure. In case of overproduction, problems concerning the ripening completion may arise.

Training system and pruning:

adaptable to different training systems and pruning.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

susceptible to downy mildew, averagely susceptible to botrytis.

Enological potential:

it produces ruby red wines, little concentrated, with hints of red fruits and floral notes. The taste is fresh and slightly tannic, especially if young. Also suitable for wines of medium ageing, in blend with other varieties.