Airén facts for kids

A 50-yr old Airén vine, from a vineyard near Carabaña (Madrid, Spain)

Airén is a type of white grape. It is commonly used to make wine. This grape originally comes from Spain. It is a very important grape there. About 30% of all grapes grown in Spain are Airén.

In 2010, Airén was thought to be the third most planted grape in the world. It covered about 252,000 hectares (622,700 acres) of land. This was a drop from 2004, when it was the most planted grape. Back then, it covered 306,000 hectares (756,000 acres). Even though it was once number one, Airén is almost only found in Spain.

Airén vines are often planted far apart. This means other grape types, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, have more individual vines planted. The number of Airén plants is going down in Spain. Farmers are replacing them with red grapes, such as Tempranillo. By 2015, Airén plantings had dropped to 218,000 hectares (538,700 acres).

About the Airén Grape

The Airén grape vine has special features. Its new buds look like cotton. They are bronze or yellowish with a light reddish edge. The plant grows in a trailing way, meaning its branches spread out.

Leaves and Grapes

The leaves of the Airén plant are medium-sized. They have a five-sided shape, like a pentagon. The top of the leaf is yellowish-green. The bottom side feels soft and velvety.

The bunches of Airén grapes are large. They are usually not too tightly packed. A bunch can be shaped like a cylinder or a long cone. The individual grapes are big and round. They have a yellowish color.

Growing Habits

Airén grapes are late to sprout new buds in the spring. They are also late to ripen in the fall. Each vine can produce a good amount of grapes, usually between 4.5 to 6 kilograms (10 to 13 pounds). A great thing about Airén is that it can handle dry weather very well. This makes it suitable for growing in places with little rain.

See also

In Spanish: Airén para niños