Description and characteristics of Viura grapes, planting and care
Viura is a grape variety considered one of the best for making quality wine. It is grown mainly in southern France and northern Spain. Winemakers note the high taste and technical characteristics of the Viura or Macabeo grape variety, as it is sometimes called.
Description and characteristics of Viura grapes
Viura, or Macabeo, is used only for the production of wines. It demonstrates fairly high yields. Sparkling, dry, quiet or sweet wine is obtained with an exquisite, tart and sweetish aftertaste.
At the same time, the production technology and the choice of the type of drink depend on the time at which the grape harvest was harvested. For example, if grapes are picked in bunches:
- early, you get a fresh, very aromatic and floral-scented drink;
- late, then wines with honey, nut flavors are obtained, rather dense in texture, rich in aroma, strong.
At the same time, grapes can be aged in stainless vats or in oak barrels. The difference is significant - this changes the aroma and smell of the noble drink.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Despite the fact that the Viura grape variety is tasty, it is optimal for creating interesting taste characteristics of a wine drink, it can be grown on poor soils. The advantages of the variety include:
- the possibility of growing on low-yielding soils;
- collection at various stages (this changes the taste characteristics);
- minimum requirements for care;
- good frost resistance and heat resistance.
But the main advantage of the Viura grape variety is that it can be used to produce drinks that are interesting in aroma and taste. For example, if you mix it with the popular Malvasia, you get a white wine with a slight sunny tint, quite classic in taste. If you add Viura to the famous Tempranillo, you get a very tasty, rich in color, scarlet wine. It is also quite common practice when the Spanish sparkling wine - Cava is produced from Viura grapes. It is quite difficult to make it, grapes with special characteristics are required, and Viura fully satisfies the parameters.
The disadvantages of the variety include the inability to eat it. The berries are small (up to three grams by weight, but usually less), have a thick skin that gives an indescribable aroma. Also, the variety is susceptible to the action of natural pests, therefore processing is required. This is especially important for situations when grape varieties are grown in Russia by summer residents on their own.
Processing should be carried out at least 4-5 times per season, but if problems are observed, then even more often.
Growing features
Macabeo grapes are loved by Rioja winemakers. The point is the unpretentiousness and versatility of the variety - Viura is added not only to white classic wines and Spanish Cava, but also to reds and rosés.
Viura is an unpretentious cultivar in cultivation. Seedlings are chosen large, their roots should not have chips, damage. Planting occurs in late autumn or early spring. Any soil will do. But at the beginning of life, mineral fertilizing should be applied. For the winter, the vineyard is sure to take shelter - although the variety belongs to frost-resistant, it may not survive the harsh winter.
Care Tips
The vines of the Virua variety grow rapidly. But their length is by no means good, since the grapes do not hold well on them, the size of the bunch decreases. It is important to trim the vine, and it is advisable to do this after 3-4 years of life.
The damaged parts of the plant must be removed, but they do this in late autumn before preparing for wintering.
The holes in which the grapes grow are often loosened. It is important for the roots to be saturated with air - so the harvest will be better. Watering occurs frequently in dry weather. But as soon as the first color appears, then it is limited, and during the ripening period it is not carried out at all.
Disease and pest control
The Viura grape variety is susceptible to pests and diseases. Insecticide treatment is carried out at the beginning of the formation of the ovary. After that, it is done in three weeks. Additional processing will be required 2-3 weeks before harvest. To strengthen the vine and give it freshness, treatment against diseases, for immunity is carried out after harvest (at least after 4-5 days, so that the plant has time to rest).
It should be understood that the composition of the product can remain on the grapes. Therefore, when making homemade wine, it must be thoroughly washed. Even if it rained, then it should be done.
Collection, storage and use of the crop
Harvesting takes place in September, but depending on climatic conditions, the time varies. Stored for a long time, it is better to use stainless steel vats or barrels.
Viura is used to make wine. They make a drink both purely from this variety and complement it with others.
