The winemaking tradition in Granada reached its greatest splendor during the time of Al Andalus, under the rule of the Arabs, who cultivated vineyards along vast extensions of land in the province. A very prolific grape for the Arabs was the vigiriega grape, whose cultivation spread throughout Andalusia, however by the end of the 19th century the plague of phylloxera attacked and ruthlessly devastated most of the vineyards throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
Currently, we only find a few strains of vigiriega grape in the province of Granada and, minority, in the islands of El Hierro and Tenerife. The vigiriega grape has become the native grape of Granada and finds its last peninsular refuge in the Alpujarra of Granada, in areas such as the Lecrín valley and the Sierra de la Contraviesa. Currently there are only between 15 to 20 hectares of vigiriega grape vineyards in the province of Granada.
The vigiriega grape vines are very robust and resistant, which allows them to be grown in high mountain areas. In fact, in the Sierra de la Contraviesa there are the highest vineyards in Europe, reaching 1,400 meters above sea level and its fruit, of course, is the vigiriega grape, a grape of great heights.
In the Lecrín valley we find vigiriega grape vines on the grounds of the Hacienda Señorío de Nevada estate, who strongly bet on the native grape of Granada and use it in the production of Señorío de Nevada white wine, which lines viognier and vigiriega grapes.
How is the vigiriega grape
The vigiriega grape has received numerous names throughout history and according to the region of cultivation. Among the most popular are: bujariego, diego, derijadiego, vijariego, vijiriego and vujariego.
The vigiriega grape vines produce a small quantity of bunches of medium size, pyramidal in shape and not very tight. The vigiriega grape is usually very round, white with greenish tones and is characterized by being quite voluminous. In the past it was served as a table grape, but also for the preparation of natural sparkling wine, taking advantage of its richness in sugars.
There was also the red version of the vigiriega grape, with greater acidity, with sparsely populated clusters and whose existence today is almost unprecedented, it is practically extinct.
Vigiriega grape wines
The Alpujarra of Granada has a microclimate and unique lands which favor the cultivation of vineyards and the obtaining of quality wines. The confluence of the high mountain climate with the sea breeze from the Mediterranean Sea, causes a high contrast of temperatures between day and night, lengthening the ripening time of the fruit.
This unique microclimate in addition with the scarcity of rainfall, the height of the crops and the wealth of minerals typical of the soils of valleys and hills watered by the waters of the Sierra Nevada peaks, favors the making of wines with a lot of character.
Vigiriega grape wines are very fruity and slightly aromatic, highlighting the notes of green apple, pear and citrus. You can even find floral notes, fennel and bush herbs.
The wines made from the vigiriega variety show high acidity and a very pleasant freshness on the palate. They are fresh and delicate wine, with a high content of natural sugar.
Given the low production of vigiriega grape, it is very difficult to find this type of wine in stores or physical establishments.
Señorío de Nevada white wine - a white wine made from the vigiriega grape
In our online store we have an excellent white wine from the Señorío de Nevada winery, made from vigiriega and viognier grapes. It is a white wine fermented on lees, vinified by hand, of excellent quality and very unique flavors.
It is ideal for those who seek to taste a white wine with different flavors and notes, with the added value of having been made with the scarce Vigiriega grape, as well as the opportunity to taste a very exclusive wine made in the province of Granada.
We invite you to explore the exclusive Hacienda Señorío de Nevada white wine.