Picudo

Description

Also known as Carrasqueño, Basta, Castúo or Zorzaleño. Its distribution is centred on the province of Córdoba and parts of Granada, Málaga and Jaén. Its name refers to the pointed, curved tip of its fruit and the presence of a small nipple. It enters production early, although its productivity is lower than that of Picual or Arbequina. It has medium vigour, a strong tendency towards alternate bearing, and ripens late, with high fruit retention strength, which makes harvesting more difficult. Its oil yield is good, and it is highly valued for the excellent sensory characteristics of its oil. Like Hojiblanca, it is usually grown on limestone soils. It is highly susceptible to olive knot, peacock spot and olive leprosy. Its growing area is very limited, around 60,000 hectares, and it is not the dominant variety in any region. It is one of the recognised varieties under the Baena and Priego de Córdoba Protected Designations of Origin. Its leaves are elongated and dark green in colour. Its oils are highly complex, intensely fruity, with descriptors of tomato plant and olive leaf; on the palate, it starts off sweet, with a slight bitterness and pungency towards the end, elegant and persistent. Its stability is medium.