The Macabeo
Grape
A white grape variety widely planted in Spain's Rioja and Catalonia regions, as well as in the Roussillon region of France, where it's known as Viura. Macabeo produces wines that are fresh and floral, with a palate of green apples, citrus, and sometimes a hint of almond. It is a key component in the blend for Cava, Spain's sparkling wine.
Macabeo
Grape History
Macabeo, also known as Macabeu in Catalan and Viura in Rioja, is a white grape variety indigenous to Spain. It is believed to have originated in the Catalonia region of northeast Spain, although some theories suggest it may have been brought to Spain from the Middle East during the Arab rule in the Iberian Peninsula.
Historically, Macabeo has been used in the production of Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made through the traditional method also used in Champagne. The grape's high acidity and ability to produce crisp, refreshing wines have made it one of the key blending grapes in the production of Cava, alongside Parellada and Xarel-lo. Macabeo is known for imparting floral and citrus notes in the wines it is used in.
In addition to being a key component in Cava production, Macabeo is also used to produce still white wines in regions such as Rioja and Penedes in Spain. In Rioja, where it is known as Viura, Macabeo is often blended with other local white grape varieties such as Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca to produce dry, aromatic white wines.
Macabeo is also grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France, where it is known as Maccabeu. Here, it is used in the production of both still and sparkling wines, often blended with other local grape varieties.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in single varietal wines made from Macabeo, showcasing its unique characteristics and versatility. Winemakers are experimenting with different winemaking techniques to highlight the grape's flavors and aromas, leading to an increased presence of Macabeo wines on the market.
The future of Macabeo looks promising, as it continues to gain recognition both in its traditional heartland of Spain and in other wine-producing regions. Its ability to thrive in warm climates and produce wines with bright acidity and fresh fruit flavors makes it an attractive option for winemakers looking to create expressive and versatile white wines.
Overall, Macabeo's long history, adaptability, and potential for producing high-quality wines suggest that it will continue to be a significant player in the world of wine for years to come.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel