The white grape variety originates from Spain (Middle East hypothesis). Synonyms grouped alphabetically by country are Gredelin, Lardot, Maccabéo, Maccabeu, Ugni Blanc (France); Charas Blanc (California); Macabeu, Subirat, Subirats, Viura, Vuera (Spain). Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the varieties Alcañón, Trebbiano Toscano (Ugni Blanc) or the genetically similar Xarello. DNA analyses carried out in 2013 revealed a parentage of Hebén x Brustiano Faux (not identical to Brustiano Bianco).
The variety was a crossing partner of the new varieties Calina (2) and Tulillah. Its origin is probably Penedès in Catalonia, where it was first mentioned in 1617 by the agronomist Miquel Agustí (1560-1630) in his book on agriculture. The variety was introduced in the south of France in Roussillon at the beginning of the 19th century, where it was first mentioned in Perpignan near the Spanish border in 1816. This late-ripening, high-yielding variety is resistant to drought and dryness, but is particularly susceptible to botrytis and somewhat less susceptible to downy mildew. It produces high-alcohol, rather low-acid white wines with a floral character. They are well suited for ageing in barriques.
The vineyard area in Spain totals 38,625 hectares. It is the most widely cultivated white wine variety in northern Spain. The largest areas are in Catalonia (13,000 hectares), Castilla-La Mancha (5,300 hectares) and Aragon (5,000 hectares). In the Penedès and Conca de Barberà areas, it is one of the three most important varieties for cava, along with Parellada and Xarello. It is also widespread in Extremadura, Rioja (90% of the white stock), Rueda and Valencia. It is also grown in Mallorca. The area under cultivation in France is 1,657 hectares, with a strong downward trend. Around 85% of the crop is located in the dual region of Languedoc-Roussillon, where Macabeo is authorised in the Corbières, Minervois and Côtes du Roussillon areas. There are small stocks in Argentina and South Africa. In 2016, a total of 38,625 hectares of vineyards were designated. This puts it in 22nd place in the global grape variety ranking (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI)
