Macabeo at a glance Also known as: Viura (Rioja) and Macabeu (Catalonia)Style: light to medium body, with fresh acidityFlavour: apple, citrus, white flowers and sometimes tropical fruitServing: 8 to 12 degrees CelsiusPairs with: tapas, paella, pasta and fishKeeping: usually 1 to 3 years, longer when oak-agedWhat is Macabeo? Macabeo is a white grape from Spain and one of the classic white grapes of the country. It is also one of the grapes used in cava . At ONWINE the wines come from Rioja , Castilla-La Mancha and Almería . You also find it in the white wine from Priorat , together with Garnacha Blanca .
What does Macabeo taste like? Macabeo tastes of apple and citrus, often with white flowers. The wine has a light to medium body and fresh acidity. In high-altitude vineyards, tropical fruit and more tension come in. Ageing on the lees or in oak makes the wine creamier.
Is Macabeo dry or sweet? Macabeo is usually made dry. The fruit and fresh acidity give the wine a lively taste, without sweetness.
Macabeo or Viura: what is the difference? There is no difference in the grape. Macabeo is the usual Spanish name, in Catalonia it is called Macabeu and in Rioja Viura. The style does differ from wine to wine. The two Viura wines from Rioja in our range age on the lees, one of them also in oak, which makes them creamier. The Macabeo wines from the mountains of Castilla-La Mancha and Almería are lighter and fresher.
What types of Macabeo are there? Macabeo differs mainly by region, altitude and ageing. These are the four wines in our range, from fresh to full.
Fresh and floral The Requiebro Macabeo from Bodega Amadís de Gaula comes from vineyards at 850 metres in Castilla-La Mancha, among aromatic herbs and holm oaks. You taste white flowers, white fruit and tropical fruit, with a fresh start and a subtle touch of bitterness in the finish.
Fresh and mineral The Sierra Almagrera Macabeo Blanco from Bodega Sierra Almagrera grows at 1,200 metres in the Alpujarra of Almería. The wine ages for two months on the lees. You taste tropical fruit, fennel and subtle flowers, with mineral tension and a fresh finish.
Rioja without oak The Marqués del Hueco Viura from Bodegas Heras Cordón is 100% Viura from 10 to 15-year-old vines at about 400 metres. The wine ferments in stainless steel and ages for three to four months on the fine lees. You taste apricot, flowers and citrus, with a soft, lightly creamy texture.
Rioja with oak The 'El Prodigio' Viura comes from old Viura vines in Lapuebla de Labarca. The wine ferments in French oak barrels and ages for seven months on the fine lees. You taste grapefruit, jasmine and apple blossom, with a creamy texture and an elegant finish with mineral and lightly toasted notes. It also comes from Bodegas Heras Cordón.
Which one suits you? You like it light and floral. Choose the Requiebro.
You are looking for fresh and mineral. Choose the Sierra Almagrera.
You want soft and lightly creamy. Choose the Marqués del Hueco.
You like it full and creamy. Choose the El Prodigio.
Where does Macabeo grow? Macabeo grows across large parts of Spain, mainly in Rioja, Catalonia and Castilla-La Mancha. In our range it comes from three regions.
Rioja. Bodegas Heras Cordón makes two Viura wines from vineyards on limestone-rich soils.
Castilla-La Mancha. Bodega Amadís de Gaula makes the Requiebro at 850 metres, where altitude and a cool climate keep the wine fresh.
Almería. Bodega Sierra Almagrera makes the Macabeo at 1,200 metres, where sun and cool mountain influences bring tension.
What food goes with Macabeo? Macabeo goes well with tapas, rice dishes such as paella, pasta, fish and Mediterranean dishes. An oak-aged Viura is fuller and also suits poultry and creamy dishes.
Buy Macabeo at ONWINE At ONWINE you buy wine directly from the winemaker, and on our winemakers page you can read who is behind the wine. Shipping is free from 12 bottles from the same winemaker. Want to taste Macabeo first? The Almería Tasting Case has two bottles of Sierra Almagrera Macabeo Blanco. The Bodega Bravo Escós Tasting Case also contains a white Priorat made mostly from Macabeu. You can find more white wine on our Spanish white wine page.
View Spanish white wine →
Frequently asked questions about Macabeo Is Macabeo the grape of cava? Yes, Macabeo is one of the three classic grapes of cava , alongside Xarel·lo and Parellada. As a still wine you taste it pure, as in the four wines above.
What is the difference between Macabeo and Chardonnay? Macabeo is lighter and more neutral than Chardonnay. It has apple, citrus and fresh acidity, while Chardonnay is often fuller and creamier, especially in oak. The El Prodigio Viura comes close in style to an oaked Chardonnay. Want to try that grape? Then take a look at our Chardonnay .
How long can you keep Macabeo? A fresh, unoaked Macabeo is best drunk in the first one to three years. An oak-aged Viura such as the El Prodigio can often keep for longer. Store the bottles lying down, in a cool, dark place.
