Grape variety and grafted vine plant Godello: all the secrets

Godello

Variety native to the banks of the river Sil, in Galicia. It represents the main variety in the Valdeorras and Bierzo appellations, it is grown in Portugal under the name of Verdelho (2,050 ha in 2000). It is different from the Verdelho variety from Madeira.

CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN

YEAR	1990	1999	2009
HECTARES	32	405	1.194

CULTIVATED AREA IN PORTUGAL

YEAR	1989	2000	2011
HECTARES	2.414	2.050	443

Budburst period: medium-early.
Ripening period: medium-early (7 days after the Albariño).
Yield: average.

Ampelographic characters:

the bud has an open apex of medium pigmentation and medium density of prostrate hairs. The small five-lobed leaf has a dark green colour. The cluster is small and short, of medium compactness and variable conical shape. The berries are medium shaped and ellipsoidal.

Cultural aptitude:

vine of medium-high vigour and semi-upright growth habit. Quite resistant to water and thermal stress, it would be best to avoid humid and fertile soils. It maximizes its potential in dry climates, as opposed to those more humid, where it increases in vigour and productivity, with a consequent decrease in quality.

Training system and pruning:

the best results are obtained with Guyot pruning.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis, less susceptible to downy mildew and dead arm. Susceptible to spring frosts.

Enological potential:

it produces a well-structured wine with medium-good acidity. Suitable for production of sparkling and aging wines with ripe apple aromas, in which case the high level of glycerol will provide a pleasant mixture of acidity and sweetness. Its wines are straw yellow, scented, long living and full bodied. It produces wines of excellent quality.