Macabeo white wine variety

Macabeo, aka Viura, is a white wine variety origination in the Penedes region of NE Spain.

Where is Macabeo Grown

This variety is grown throughout Catalonia under the name of Macabeo.  Elsewhere in Spain it is grown in Castillo-la-Mancha, Aragon and Rioja. Outside Catalonia it is more often known as Viura. 

In France it is mainly confined to the Roussillon Region of France, just across the border from Catalonia, it uses the name of Macabeu. Here it is used for dry whites, often in blends with Grenache Blanc or Carignan Blanc.

What does macabeo taste like

This variety is used to make a variety of styles. It often used to make Spain's sparkling white Cava. As a varietal you will find it as a light everyday drinking wine.  These are lightly floral especially when made with early picked grapes.  More serious oak-aged whites are made, in regions such as the Rioja.

Maceabeo in Australia

Despite this variety being very popular in Spain it has not attracted much attention in Australia.  Macebeo thrives in warmer regions so it would be suitable in many regions here.

As of April 2025 there are only three producers on my database, Bassham Wine and Cirami in the Riverland and Susuro in Melbourne, using Riverland fruit.

Iberian varieties used in Australia

These varieties, now used in Australia, all originated in Spain or Portugal

Albarino | Arinto | Cabernet Franc | Graciano | Grenache | Grenache gris | Macabeo | Mataro/Mourvedre | Mencia | Palomino | Pedro Ximenez | Prieto Picudo | Souzao | Tempranillo | Tinto Cao | Tinta Negra Molle | Touriga | Trincadeira | Verdejo | Verdelho

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