Product Review
This red is restrained yet focused, with a balanced structure and good depth. A silky texture carries black cherry, licorice, forest floor and spice flavors, not exuberant but harmonious. Clean, fresh and long. Drink now through 2027.
Grenache has claims to have originated in Spain and Sardinia where it is known as Garnacha and Cannonau respectively. No matter where it originated this sun-loving grape has spread with great popularity across the world. The grape’s compatibility with regions that offer long sunny summers ensures a high build up of sugars and conversely low acidity. This and its soft tannin make it a great blending grape with firmer, more structured varieties such as Syrah and Mourvedre to form the trio blend often called GSM. Grenache is frequently grown alongside its blending partners in the esteemed regions of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhone valley and accross South Australia. Unlike a lot of other varieties Grenache needs relatively little attention and is quite happy to be left on poor, unirrigated soils. Because of this hearty nature, pockets of old, neglected, but still productive vines have been found around the world. With enough pruning, these old vines yield small amounts of intense fruit with spectacular results in varietal wines. Depending on where it is grown and how it is handled Grenache can vary from earthy and peppery to jammy red and black fruit with sweet spice qualities. It is also the key constituent (at least 50%) in the wines of Banyuls, one of France’s finest Vins Doux Naturels appellations.
The region is known for its big and bold red wines made mostly from Garnacha grapes. These grapes represent more than three-quarters of vineyard plantings. The local Consejo Regulador has set quality criteria according to the age of the Garnacha vines, based on the age of the vines. The belief is, the older the vine, the more concentrated the wines will be. Those made from vines more than 50 years old are given the classification Calatayud Superior; rare but extremely sought-after wines. Tempranillo and Mazuelo are the other main red varieties, while the region's fresh crisp whites are based on Viura (Macabeo), Malvasía and Chardonnay. Garnacha-based rosé wines (rosado) are also common.
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Red wine is wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties. The color of red differs based on the grapes variety or varieties used.Interestingly, black grapes yield a juice that is greenish-white. The actual red color comes from anthocyan pigments (also called anthocyanins) from the skin of the grape (exceptions are the relatively uncommon teinturier varieties, which produce a red colored juice). Most of the production centers around the extraction of color and flavor from the grape skin.
