The Viura
Grape
Known outside of Spain as Macabeo, Viura is a white grape variety widely planted in the Rioja and Catalonia regions. It produces wines that are light and fresh, with flavors of green apples, citrus, and flowers, often used in the production of Cava and white Rioja wines.
Viura
Grape History
Viura, also known as Macabeo, is a white wine grape variety that has a rich history dating back to ancient times. This grape is native to the Rioja region in Spain and is one of the most widely planted white grape varieties in the country. Viura has been a key player in the production of traditional Spanish white wines, particularly in Rioja and Catalonia regions.
Historically, Viura has been used in the production of Cava, a sparkling wine from Catalonia, and is also a key component in white Rioja wines. The grape is known for its ability to produce wines with good acidity, delicate floral aromas, and flavors of citrus fruits and green apples. In recent years, winemakers have been experimenting with Viura by aging it in oak barrels to create more complex and full-bodied wines.
Viura is also grown in other parts of the world, such as France, where it is commonly used in the production of white blends in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Additionally, some winemakers in regions like Australia and South Africa have started to plant Viura to experiment with its potential in those regions.
One interesting fact about Viura is that it is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Garnacha Blanca, to create unique and interesting wines. This grape is also known for its versatility in winemaking, as it can be used to produce a wide range of wine styles, from sparkling to still, dry to sweet.
The future of Viura looks promising, as more and more consumers are looking for unique and interesting white wines. The grape's ability to produce wines with a good balance of acidity and fruit flavors makes it a popular choice for both casual drinkers and wine enthusiasts alike. With continued experimentation by winemakers around the world, we can expect to see more innovative and exciting wines made from Viura in the 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