The white grape variety originates from Spain. Synonyms are Blanqueta, Blanquilla, Canabella, Escanavella, Escanyagos, Escanyavella, Esquitxagos, Exquitsagos, Gayata, Macabeo Basto, Lanjaron, Marisancha, Marisancho, Marseguera, Masadera, Masaguera, Menseguera, Merseguera de Rio, Mersequera, Merzeguera, Meseguera, Messeguera, Messeguera Comun, Mezeyguera, Planta Borda, Trova, Verdosilla and Verema Blanca. Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it should not be confused with the Palomino (Merseguera) or Pardillo (Marisancho) varieties. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2013, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Hebén x Folha de Figueira. However, this is based on only 20 DNA markers (see molecular genetics).
The medium to late ripening vine is resistant to drought, but susceptible to powdery mildew. It produces rather tasteless white wines with moderate alcohol content and a discreet bitter almond aroma. These are mainly used for rancio-style wines and sweet wines. The variety is mainly present in the DO area of Valencia, but also in the areas of Alicante, Jumilla, Penedès, Tarragona, Utiel-Requena, Yecla and in the Balearic Islands(Mallorca). The Spanish cultivated area in 2016 totalled 2,373 hectares with an extremely decreasing trend; because in 2000 it was 7,460 hectares. It is also cultivated in small quantities in Algeria (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012.
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
