Macabeo

Synonyms: Charas Blanc (California), Lardot (Drôme in France), Macabeu (Catalonia), Maccabéo (France), Maccabeu (Roussillon in France), though the most important synonymy lies in Spain with Viura (Rioja and Rueda).

It is a Spanish white variety with medium-late budding and ripening, which means that it is well adapted to warm climates. It has medium-sized, very compact clusters that favour the appearance of diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis.

Produced as a young wine, it is light, fresh and fruity. It adapts well to fermentation and ageing in barrels, producing wines with good structure, mature and long-lasting, the basis of classic Rioja whites. It is also one of the 3 varieties, together with Parellada and Xarel.lo, predominant in the base wines for cava and national sparkling wines.