Bobal

Bobal is an important Spanish red variety. It is cultivated in the regions of Albacete, Alicante, Cuenca and Utiel -Requena. It is generally processed to mass wines with deep dark color or rectified grape concentrate ( RTK). Chance also good rosé Bobal be made ​​. In the year 2000 92.630 hectares of vineyards were planted with this variety in Spain. In Spain it is so after the Airen and Tempranillo the third most common variety. There are suspicions that Bobal is related to the grape variety Bovale in Sardinia. Small stocks are also known in France.

The grape retains a strong acid and provides relatively low alcohol levels; it is therefore often blended with the Monastrell grape in wines.

Ampelographic varietal characteristics

In the ampelography the habit is described as follows:

• The shoot tip is open. She is strong whitish pubescent with very light reddish approach. The yellowish young leaves are hairy weak on the upper leaf surface.
• The large leaves ( see also the article sheet form) are usually five-lobed and strongly sinuate. The petiole is lyres -shaped open to closed. The leaf margin is serrated blunt. The teeth are set wide compared to the varieties. The leaf surface (also called lamina ) is vesicular coarse. In autumn the foliage reddens easily.
• The grape is medium in size and dichtbeerig. The berries are medium in size and of a black - blue color. The berries are thick- and juicy; the juice is colorless.

The vine cast out relatively late.

Prone is Bobal against downy mildew. The income of the fertile variety can vary greatly.

Bobal matures about 35 days after Chasselas and is thus regarded as late maturing.

Synonyms

Bobal is also known under the name Balau, Balauro, Benicarlo, Bobal noir, Bobos, Carignan d' Espagne, Coreana, Espagnol, Folle blanche du Minervois, Provechon, Rageno, Rajeno, Requena, Requenera, Requeno, Terret Nights and, Tinto de Requena, Tinto de Zurra, Valenciana Valenciana and tinto known.