| Macabeo | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 Macabeo in Viala & Vermorel | |
| Color of berry skin | White |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Also called | Viura, Macabeu andother synonyms |
| Origin | Spain |
| Pedigree parent 1 | Hebén |
| Pedigree parent 2 | Brustiano faux |
| Notable regions | Rioja,Catalonia |
| Notable wines | Cava, whiteRioja |
| VIVC number | 13127 |
Macabeo, also calledViura orMacabeu (Catalan:[məkəˈβew],French:[makabø]), is a white variety ofwinegrape.
It is widely grown in theRioja region of northeasternSpain, theCava producing areas south ofBarcelona, and theLanguedoc-Roussillon region ofFrance. Spanish plantations stood at nearly 45,000 hectares (110,000 acres) in 2015, making it the second most grown white grape variety in Spain. In France, plantations accounted for 2,800 hectares (6,900 acres) in 2007.[1]Since 2009, some Macabeo is grown in Israel.[2]
The grape is mostly used to make mildly acidic and young white wines mostly suitable for early consumption or blending with othervarieties, both red and white. Some of the most pleasurable examples of the variety are planted along the Pyrenees, where it is used to produce highly saline and textural white wine.
It is often the main grape of white Rioja and is sometimes blended in small amounts withTempranillo and redGarnacha, both in unoaked and oaked versions. It was introduced in Rioja after thephylloxera epidemic, where it largely replacedMalvasia andGarnacha blanca, partially because of the ability of its wines to better withstand oxidation.[3] Some producers of white Rioja make superior wines (Reserva and Gran Reserva) subjected to extended ageing that can span decades, resulting in a highly distinctive and aromatic wine.
Macabeo (or Macabeu, as it is known in Catalan) is traditionally blended withXarel·lo andParellada to makecava, the best-known sparklingwine of Spain, and it is also used on its own in varietal wines. It is also used in the base spirit used to createObsello Absinthe.
InRoussillon, late-picked Macabeo is also used infortified wine (vin doux naturel). As well as on its own as exceptional young white wine[3]
Macabeo is also known by the following synonyms:[4] Alcañol, Alcañón, Blanca de Daroca, Charas blanc, Forcalla, Gredelín, Lardot, Listan Andaludschii, Listan Andaluzskii, Lloza, Macaban, Macabeu, Maccabeo, Maccabeou, Maccabeu, Makkobeo, Malvoisie, Provensal, Queue de Renard, Rossan, Subirat, Tokay, Viura. Some of these synonyms are also proper names of other grape varieties.
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