Grape variety and grafted vine plant Rabigato: all the secrets

Rabigato

Variety of Portuguese origin cultivated mainly in the Douro, in the Tras-os-Montes region.

CULTIVATED AREA IN PORTUGAL

YEAR	2000	2011
HECTARES	2.200	1.318

Budburst period: early.
Ripening period: medium.
Yield: average and constant.

Ampelographic characters:

the bud has an open hairless apex of visible pinkish colour. The leaf is medium-sized and rounded with a slightly open V-shaped petiolar sinus. The cluster is medium, cylindrical-conical and compact with one wing. The berry is small and rounded.

Cultural aptitude:

vine of medium vigour and almost semi-upright growth habit. Adaptable to different types of soils, particularly to dry soils and warm temperate climates.

Training system and pruning:

well adaptable to different training systems; it prefers long pruning.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

susceptible to powdery mildew, downy mildew and botrytis.

Enological potential:

it produces wines of medium aromatic intensity, fresh, with vegetable and citrusy notes. The excellent natural acidity makes it is ideal for blending with other more aromatic varieties. Used both for production of generous or table wines.