OTHER NAMES: tinta castañal (Spain-Galicia), rabo de cordeiro (Spain-Galicia).
The red castañal grape is a traditional minority variety in the Baixo Miño area, in the O Rosal zone of the Rías Baixas D. O. It is one of a kind in the world, in danger of disappearing and currently in the process of recovery. First of all, the existence of century-old living specimens in this area, along with the fact that the name of this variety is cited in publications from the early 20th century as one of the red varieties with the greatest tradition in the south of the province of Pontevedra, testifies to the antiquity of its cultivation (200 to 300 years). There are currently winemakers who still conserve centuries old vines for the production of wine for their own use and wineries which encourage its recuperation.
A plant of medium yield, with small tight clusters of an intense violet-blue colour.
It allows long macerations to succeed in extracting all its aromatic potential; highly suitable for young wines. The wines are of an intense ruby colour, with aromas of red various, strawberry, cherry and raspberry, ripe, spicy and herbaceous fruits, and they are fresh wines with an Atlantic character.
