The Grenache Grape
History and regions
There is a controversy between the origin of Garnacha. Some propose its origin in the Italian island of Sardinia, while others state that their origin is Spanish. In any case, there are historical documents that show plantations of this variety in Aragon during the sixteenth century *, but it is thought that the crops of these can be traced back to the XII-XIV century in the same community. That is why it is also known as the Aragonese grape. From Aragón it spread to Navarra, La Rioja and Catalonia, but also to other places in the Mediterranean, USA and Australia.
VARIETALS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Garnacha is a grape of medium-early ripeness, is characterized by resisting extreme temperatures and adapting well to different types of soil, these factors cause substantial differences between the varieties of Garnacha.
These vineyards produce abundant of sweet tasty fruit that allows to elaborate a wide range of wine. This together with all that has been set out the above, make it a very versatile grape.
Varieties
Red Grenache
This variety of Garnacha is one of the most used worldwide and can process red, sweet and rosé wines.
It is sensitive to pests, has little tolerance to wet and cold soils, but very resistant to wind and drought.
White Grenache
This variety corresponds to a mutation of the red grenache (garnacha tinta), which is why it shares some characteristics: it is sensitive to humid soils, very resistant to droughts and, to a lesser extent, wind.
Grey Grenache
Gray Grenche is a peculiar variety, almost exhausted, that we find in Aragon and in Roussillon.
The wine that it produces is a pale pink color, with coppery flashes. Its aroma of citrus fruits and light body, bring freshness. It is ideal to pair with tapas.
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet is the only variety whose pulp is dark coloured, which produces wines of an intense color.
This grape requires abundant water and deep soils with phosphorus fertilizers, and endures the cold temperatures of winter well.
Hairy Grenache
The Hairy Grenache gets its name from the hairy leaves, this grape variety is resistant to drought, it adapts well to arid soils and is less sensitive to pests, it is a mutation of the Red Grenache and is native from Catalonia.
