Airen
It is the most widely grown variety in the world. Planted mainly in central Spain, and locally also known as Lairen, Manchega or Valdepeñera.
CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN
YEAR |
1990 | 1999 | 2009 |
HECTARES |
479.229 | 425.788 | 255.840 |
Bud-burst period: late.
Ripening period: late.
Yield: abundant and constant.
Ampelographic characters:
whitish apex with closed edge; medium, pentagonal leaf with semi-open petiolar sinus; large, winged cluster; spherical berry, soft pulp.
Cultural aptitude:
vigorous vine with a distinct downward growth habit (creeping).
Training system and pruning:
its base is characterized by an accentuated fertility thus resulting extremely suitable for a very short pruning, such as Gobelet type. Also adaptable to espalier.
Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:
very resistant to diseases. Not susceptible to spring frosts. Excellent resistance to drought due to its rusticity.
Enological potential:
it gives wines with high alcoholic content and, due to its high yield, of medium-low quality. The level of acidity is low.
Clones in propagation:
Airen 22-23, 24-13, 18-22.
Clones undergoing homologation procedure:
VCR332, VCR337, VCR338, VCR40, VCR41, VCR42, VCR43, VCR44, VCR45, VCR47, VCR49, VCR325.
Vineyard in Castille – La Mancha