The red grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Bobal Noir, Carignan d'Espagne, Carignan d'Espagne à Fronton, Carignan Espagnol, Espagnol, Folle Blanche du Minervois, Provechón, Terret d'Espagna, Terret d'Espagne (France); Aprovechon, Balau, Balauro, Benicarló, Bobos, Coreana, Moravio, Morenillo, Panse Negro, Pobretón, Prunelar, Rageno, Rajeno, Requena, Requenera, Requeno, Tinta Madrid, Tinto de Requena, Tinto de Zurra, Tonto de Zurra, Valenciana, Valenciana Tinta, Valenciana Tinto, Vinate, Vinatela, Vinater, Vinatera, Vinate Tinto, Vinater Tinto (Spain). Nothing is known about the parentage or a possible genetic relationship to the white variety Tortosina (with the synonym Bobal Blanco). According to DNA analyses, there is no genetic link to the white variety Alcañón (with the synonym Bobal Blanca). It should not be confused with the Graciano, Mazuelo, Monastrell, Moravia Agria or Prunelard varieties, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities.
The medium to late ripening vine is susceptible to botrytis and powdery mildew, but is extremely resistant to dryness and drought. It produces deep, dark red wines that tend to be light in alcohol, acidic and rustic, which are mainly used as a blend, often with the Monastrell variety, for the production of mass-produced wines. The variety is particularly prevalent in the central east of the country in the regions of Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia, where it is authorised in the DO areas of Manchuela, Ribera del Júcar and Utiel-Requena. It is also used for the production of red wines using Doble Pasta, which are also exported as teinturiers (colour enhancers). The grape must is also often processed into RCGM. The variety is grown exclusively in Spain. In 2016, a total of 59,189 hectares of vineyards were reported with a strong downward trend. This puts it in 15th place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Image: From Chateau bobal~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link
