Xarel·lo

For another Spanish wine grape that is also known as Xarello, see Cayetana blanca.

Xarel·lo (Catalan pronunciation: [ʃəˈɾɛlːu]) is a white grape variety of Spanish origin specially grown in Catalonia.^[1]

Xarel·lo
Grape (Vitis)
Xarel·lo grapes
Color of berry skin	White
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	See list of synonyms
Origin	Spain
Notable regions	Catalonia
Notable wines	Cava
Formation of seeds	Complete
Sex of flowers	Hermaphrodite
VIVC number	13270

With Macabeo and Parellada, Xarel·lo is one of the three traditional varieties used to make the sparkling wine cava. Spanish plantations stood at 8,043 hectares (19,870 acres) in 2008. Xarel·lo wine can be strongly flavored and is more aromatic than the other two cava grape varieties.^[2]

While historically the grape was only produced as part of regional blend in Penedès and Cava, modern winemaking has evolved in the last 20 years to where it is being seen in the form of varietal wines. High-end Cavas have been produced which feature the grape prominently such as Gramona's Enoteca or then as 100% of the finished wine in: Sabaté i Coca's Reserva Familiar, Recaredo's Turó d'en Mota,^[3] and Mas del Serral from Raventos i Blanc.

Synonyms

Xarel·lo is also known by the following synonyms: Cartoixà, Cartuja, Pansa, Pansa Blanca, Pansal, Premsal Blanca, Xarelo Blanco, Xerello.^[4]