Grape variety and grafted vine plant Macabeo: all the secrets

Macabeo

Native to Spain, this variety spread to the French region of Midi. It is grown in many other areas of Spain as well. Also known as Macabeu and Viura.

CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN

YEAR	1990	1999	2009
HECTARES	37.759	44.781	34.896

CULTIVATED AREA IN FRANCE

YEAR	1958	1969	1979	1988	1998	2006
HECTARES	4.429	5.975	7.077	7.621	5.771	3.536

Budburst period: late.
Ripening period: medium-late.
Yield: rich and constant.

Ampelographic characters:

the apex bud is densely covered in prostrate hairs. The large pentagonal leaf has five very marked lobes and a lyre-shaped petiolar sinus. The cluster is large and compact, and carries a round, medium-sized, thin-skinned berry.

Cultural aptitude:

vigorous variety with upright growth habits. Adaptable to all climatic and altitude conditions; best grown however in fertile and fresh soils. Susceptible to wind and extreme droughts.

Training system and pruning:

it works well with short pruning, but it accepts long pruning as well, depending on pedoclimatic conditions. Overproduction can significantly affect quality.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

a variety susceptible to wood diseases, easily subjected to botrytis attacks in humid and fertile soils. Also susceptible to powdery mildew, mites and downy mildew.

Enological potential:

it produces straw-yellow alcoholic wines with good acidity and fruity aromas. Slightly astringent wines, but very well balanced in acidity-alcohol. It ages well in barrels. In Spain, fruity and fresh wines between 10 and 11 alcohol degrees are obtained; ideal for the production of young wines and as a base for sparkling ones. In France, it is mainly used for the preparation of generous and liqueur wines in the eastern Pyrenees, and for natural sweet wines in Banyuls and Rivesaltes.