The vine is very vigorous and highly productive, has a natural semi-erect posture, with long, strong, trailing shoots, which makes it a difficult vine to work in the summer. The shoots often completely cover the ground thus helping to conserve moisture during the hot summers. It adapts well to all types of vine formation but is most commonly grown as a low bush (
en vaso) and less often on
trellises (
en espaldera). It is perfectly adapted to the local climate and so is resistant to extremes of weather and diseases. The pulp is colourless and meaty; the hard skin of the round medium-sized berries is intensely and brightly coloured, the smell is fresh, original and fragrant. The taste is pleasantly acidic and tannic. The average bunch is of medium-large size, compact, with an irregular cone shape. The must is normally high in colorants and tannins and is suitable both for aging and for coupage with other varieties. The must also contains higher than average quantities of
resveratrol. The wines produced tend to be fruity, low in alcohol content (around 11°) and high in acidity (5.5 to 6.5 tartaric acid). A rare white variety of the same name also exists, but it is not genetically related. ==Synonyms==