Viura

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The Viura, also known as Macabeo, is a historic white grape variety from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, especially linked to La Rioja, Aragón, and Catalonia. Over the centuries it has played a leading role in young white wines, sparkling wines, and aged styles, thanks to its versatility, natural freshness, and good bottle ageing potential.

At Javier Sanz Viticultor, we decided to grow Viura with a different approach: to seek its purest and most elegant expression, far from heavy or neutral winemaking styles. In our continental environment, with poor soils and marked thermal contrasts, Viura becomes more refined, gains verticality, and develops a tension that reveals its true potential.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VIURA GRAPE

With large clusters, thin skin, and juicy pulp, Viura is an early budding and early ripening variety, with good resistance to drought and heat. If vigor is controlled and it is harvested at the optimal time, it can offer wines with clean aromas, good acidity, and the ability to age on lees or in barrel.

At Finca Saltamontes, we focus on a precise and straightforward Viura, fermented in stainless steel tanks, with lees ageing to provide texture without losing freshness.

WHAT DOES A VIURA WINE TASTE LIKE?

On the nose, aromas of green apple, white pear, wildflowers, and a citrus background can be appreciated, with notes of dried hay or almond if it has been aged. On the palate it is light yet with volume, with lively natural acidity and a dry, slightly saline finish, adding persistence and harmony.

Perfect as an everyday white wine with the soul of a serious wine, it pairs beautifully with white fish, seafood rice dishes, roasted vegetables, warm salads, white meats, and mild cheeses. It also has good bottle ageing potential, gaining complexity and texture over time.