Bobal

Its taxonomic classification corresponds to the family of vitaceae, Vitis genus, specie V. vinifera and variety Bobal. It is the most widespread of Spanish red varieties, both in area planted, as in wine produced, can be considered that there are between 90,000 and 100,000 hectares of this variety. Its origin is in the area of Requena, although there is in Spain in small quantities, 98% of the planted area is in the regions of Requena and borderline (Manchuela).


Important synonymy is worth mentioning the following: Tinto de Requena, Requeni, Requena, Bobos, Provechón, etc.

Description can be seen a stain vase, which has an effect on medium-high, and carrying semi-erect, with some creeping vines and long, strong, branched, dark brown and mean diameter.

The mature leaf is large, five-lobed, dark green, dull, with smooth surface, back scratches, and petiole short, stout and glabrous.

The typical grap cluster Bobal, is medium-large, compact, shouldered, with visible stems, irregular and arising from the second bud.

Bobal grains at maturity, are medium sized, irregular, discoid, with intense black regular color with bloom, thick skin, soft pulp, juice colorless. Has a lot of anthocyanins in the skin.

It is a rough strain that has a medium-high fertility, if the cropland has not been previously vineyard and lower-middle after it has been vineyard. In the region of Utiel-Requena, usually emerge in mid-April, ripening in mid August. Harvest usually takes place during the months of September and October.

It is quite resistant to major fungal diseases such as mildew, Plasmapara viticola;  Uncinula necator; Black Root, Guignardia bidwellii M., gray mold, Botrytis cinerea and Eutipiosis, Eutipa can.

It is sensitive to excoriose, Phomopsis viticola; Stereum hirsutum, and Phellinus igniarius The diseases caused by bacteria, such as Xantonomas amperina and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, have little importance in this variety. There are certain problems of viruses, such as virus' short internode "of "Curl" and "marbling."

With regard to pests, is quite resistant to insects in general, mainly because the skin of its grains is quite hard, because the climatic conditions of the growing area not conducive to the spread of these pests. Of all However, the most important is the moth Lobesia botrana cluster, although damage in cultivation are usually low. Its resistance to phylloxera, Philloxera vastatrix slab, is upper middle.

As a variety of late sprouting usually has enough resistance to Frost however, a variety susceptible to late spring cold.