Macabeo grape variety

Macabeo, also known as Viura in the Rioja region, is a white grape variety that is mainly grown in northern Spain. The wines are generally light to medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and a fresh, fruity flavour with floral notes. Macabeo can be very high-yielding, but always at the expense of quality. Strict yield reduction is therefore necessary for higher-quality specimens. The wines can be dry or semi-dry and matured in steel tanks or wooden barrels and are an important component of many Spanish cavas. Macabeo wines are an excellent accompaniment to seafood, light salads and Mediterranean dishes. The wine is often drunk young to enjoy its freshness and fruitiness, but high-quality examples can also have a certain ageing potential.