Airén is a variety of Vitis vinifera, a white grape commonly used in winemaking. This grape is native to Spain where it represents about 30% of all grapes grown. As of 2004, Airén was estimated to be the world's most grown grape variety in terms of planted surface, at 306,000 hectares (760,000 acres), although it is almost exclusively found in Spain. Since Airén tends to be planted at a low density, several other varieties (including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) are more planted in terms of number of vines. Plantations of Airén are declining as it is being replaced in Spanish vineyards with various red varieties, such as Tempranillo.
Description
Other Names for Airén
Airén is also known by the following other names:
- Aidén (in Albacete)
- LAirén (in Córdoba)
- Manchega (in Albacete)
- Valdepeñera or Valdepeñas (in Ciudad Real)
- Forcayat (in Catalonia)
General information
The grapes have a cotton-like bud burst, which is bronze or yellowish in colour, with light reddish edge, and not very intense at the tip. The grapes have a trailing growing habit. The leaves of the Airén are average in size and have a pentagonal shape. The lower lateral sinuses are less marked than the upper ones and the upper face of the leaf is yellowish green in color while the lower face is velvety. The grape bunch is large in size and has an average compactness. It can grow in two different shapes: cylindrical or as a long cone. The grapes are large and spherical and have a yellowish color. The grapes are late to bud burst and also late to ripen. They yield about 4.5 to 6 kg per vine. Further, this grape is very resistant to drought and the base buds are fertile and thus resists very short pruning and still have acceptable yields.
Regions
Airén is by far the most abundant in the Valdepeñas and La Mancha DO's, very abundant in the provinces of Ciudad Real, Toledo, and only slightly less so in Albacete and Cuenca. It can also be found significantly in Madrid and as far south as Montilla-Moriles.
Viticulture and uses
Airén is allowed in the following DO's: Alicante, Bullas, Jumilla, La Mancha, Valdepeñas and Vinos de Madrid. As Layrén it is allowed in Montilla-Moriles.
The Airén vine is commonly planted an unusually low vine density, around 1500 vines per hectare, and its vineyards cover vast areas. However, as trends in Spanish wine production move towards red wine, a huge number of Airéns vines are being uprooted, not least because the grape often produces an acidic and characterless wine. A consequence of this is that its principal use has generally been in the manufacture of brandy. This grape is the main variety in Vinos de Madrid DO.
See also
