Macabeo

The origin is likely Penedès in Catalonia, where it was first mentioned in 1617 by the brother and agronomist Miquel Agustí (1560-1630) in his book on agriculture. The variety was grown in southern France in the early 19th century Roussillon introduced where it was first mentioned in Perpignan near the Spanish border in 1816. The late ripening, productive variety is resistant to drought and drought, but particularly prone to Botrytis and a little less for the wrong ones mildew, It produces alcoholic, low acid white wines with a floral character. You are good for Barrique suitable.

The area under cultivation in Spain totaled 38,417 hectares in 2010. In northern Spain it is mostly the most cultivated white wine variety under Macabeo or Viura. The largest quantities are in Catalonia (13,700 ha), Castile-La Mancha (5,300 ha) and Aragon (5,000 ha). In the fields of Penedès and Conca de Barberà count them Parellada and Xarello to the three most important varieties for the Cava, It is also widespread in the fields Extremadura. Rioja (90% of the white population), Rueda and Valencia, She will be on too Mallorca grown.

The area under cultivation in France in 2010 was 2,628 hectares with a steep downward trend (ten years earlier there were twice as many). Around 85% of the stock is in the double region Languedoc-Roussillon where Macabeo for example in the fields Corbières. Minervois and Cotes du Roussillon is allowed. In Argentina there is a tiny inventory of 2 hectares. In 2010, a total of 41,046 hectares were reported (Statistics Kym Anderson ). That resulted in worldwide varieties ranking rank 20.

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)