We continue with the third installment to review what are the white grape varieties that are grown in Spain. Learn about these five more - apart from those already described in the previous articles I y II- how they are, with their characteristics and regions of their cultivation.
White hondarribi
It is the variety of the Basque Country and the main one of the Denomination of Origin Txacolí. Its bunches are small and compact, their maturation is somewhat late, which avoids the risk of frost. Its productivity and fertility are good and it needs sun for its maturation, which is also late. All this means that its plantation is oriented to make the most of daylight hours and in airy places due to its sensitivity to fungi. One of the places that meets these characteristics is the Getaria coast.
With the hondarribi between white grape varieties wines can be made fresh, light and floral. It has low acidity and tolerates barrel aging well. Currently, high quality mono varietal wines are being produced.
loureira
It is a Galician variety also present in Portugal where it is part of the wines made with the name of green wine. It predominates in the basin of My no. Ripening is somewhat late and it is a variety sensitive to botrytis. Its bunches are medium in size and bring a lot of freshness to the wine. In Galicia is a variety of the DO Ribeiro. The wines made with this variety are very fresh, elegant and floral reminiscent of fresh grass.
Macabeo, of the common white grape varieties
It is also known by the name of Viura. Very present in the Mediterranean and especially in the areas of the DO Penedés and Cava. The latter is very important along with two other varieties such as Parellada and Xarel-lo. This variety is also part of wines made in the DO's of Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, Calatayud, Navarra, Rioja, Somontano, Tarragona and Terra Alta.
El Macabeo it has a very good productivity, its bunches are large and wines with fruity aromas and medium acidity are made. Also its alcoholic graduation is average. It is a very interesting wine to make blends.
Malvar
It is the queen variety of the DO Madrid although it is also cultivated in the provinces of Toledo and Guadalajara. The Malvar It is one of the white varieties of early maturing, resistant with its bunch is large and not very compact. Variety with fruity aromas of medium acidity and medium alcoholic degree. The wines made with Malvar they tolerate the barrel very well, including fermentation in it.
Malvasia, popular with white grape varieties
Variety very aromatic with a very characteristic personality. It is grown in Valencia, Sitges, Zamora, Aragon and in the Canary Islands. En Portugal is present in the islands Madeira. This variety originates from Greece. With a large and compact bunch, the Malvasia is very productive and ripens late.
They are made with the variety Malmsey sweet wines, cavas and wines with a very special personality that produces many fans and followers of this variety.
