Tag: grenache
Once you introduce yourself within the complex –but fascinating- world of wine, you start to realize there are many indications of quality on wine labels. However, there is one quality indicator used all around the globe and not required by law anywhere, being also a source of pride: it is the term Old Vines.
An old vine is generally considered old at the age of fourty years, when the vine is already 10 years over the hill and produces less and less fruit. The vigor, which is the amount of a vine’s vegetative growth, has stopped growing 20 years ago and now it declines dramatically, resulting on extremelly low yields (1.000 – 2.000 kg/Hectare, which basically means you need 1-2 plants to produce a bottle).
Consequently, old vine wines are proven high in quality because they produce less grape bunches and therefore the flavor becomes more concentrated. The exposure of sunlight also influences the old sage’s canopies, eaves, fruit and trunk, which are thinner and allow more daytime sun soaks, and have a food deliver system that gets the nutrients to the grapes more easily. The result are wines with concentrated fruit and tannin, where acidity has a lot of presence. A vine with a past of elegant wines, has now a present of regal ones.
In this context, Garnacha has a lot to say, or rather, a lot to show. The varying landscapes, elevations and soil types where Garnacha is planted prove the versatility and extreme adaptability of the grape, with late harvests that resist to adverse climate conditions and diseases and therefore, the passing of time. Concretely in Aragon, its native land, it is believed to find 110-year-old vineyards! Having its origin in Souther Europe, some of the regions with the greatest plantations of Garnacha old vines – particularly in red- are Aragon (Spain) and Roussillon (South France). In the region of Terra Alta (Catalonia), we can find great Garnacha Old Vines in its white variety.
This is one of the major reasons why in these places old vines are considered a treasure among winemakers, who firmly try to transmit the old terroir to the senses of the consumer. A glass of Garnacha is able to take you, wherever you are, to the lying spot of old vineyards.
It even sounds easier than it really is… but hard work pays well when you have such a good “gift” in your hands.
More info at:
- VinePair. What the heck is an Old Vine ? https://vinepair.com/wine-geekly/what-the-heck-is-old-vine-wine-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/
- The Guardian. Garnacha, The Toughest Grape in the World https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/15/grenache-toughest-grape-in-the-world-garnacha
- Garnacha Origen. www.garnachaorigen.com
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The new Pinot Noir?
Well, although this very particular grape is not new at all, it’s been getting broader worldwide recognition during the last two decades, with a new generation of Garnacha winemakers in Europe are taking a new approach on the variety. In the recent times, it has also become a trend, and one way for better explain its characteristics to wine drinkers is by looking at an old(er) friend: Pinot Noir.
Like Pinot Noir, Grenache is highly sensitive to soil and winemaking techniques, as well as climate and altitude. Both grapes planted on sandy soils give fresher, lighter wines with more aromas, while red clay ones have longer flavors and more structure. In case of older vines, reds get more intense in flavor.
In the winery, Grenache also requires a lot of attention, Fermentation and maceration are often long, slow and cool; so during the wait, some Garnacha winemakers have borrowed Pinot Noir’s technique of throwing whole clusters of grapes, even stems, into the fermentation tank to add complexity and spiciness to the wine. Additionally, they share skin thins and low yields.
Therefore, we could introduce Garnacha/Grenache the way Bloomberg did: the hot weather cousin of Pinot Noir, due to it tends to prefer hotter, dryer climates with cool nights, and rocky well-drained soils like schist and granite. Another key difference is its capacity to make exquisite fortified and dessert wines, thanks to a late ripening, which makes sweeter wines, such as the Vins Doux Naturels of France’s Roussillon.
Moreover, although Garnacha can –and does fantastically- fly solo; it is often blended with Syrah and Mourvèrdre (better known as GSM blends).
As Christy Canterbury MW recently shared, Garnacha/Grenache is one of two mainstream varieties with three color variants: red, grey and white. Pinot Noir is the other. These two grapes share a generally pale color and softer tannins. However, they differ in where they like to be grown. Pinot Noir likes cool climates and Garnacha likes warm ones. Garnacha has been called the Pinot Noir of the south, but we could also say that Pinot Noir is the Garnacha of the north!
Once introductions are made … Let’s make a toast for this new friend of us!
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BBQ’s perfect choice for this summer
Summertime is here… It is time to fire up the grill! And Garnacha/Grenache is not missing this party at all. In fact, it could perfectly turn into the star of yours, impressing your guests with delicious pairing choices.
Grenache is so versatile that can create a wine style for almost every wine consumer out there, and you can trust it will also play along in your favorite BBQ parties, having an innate affinity with grilled meats. It specially works best with roasted meats, lamb, good beef or steaks and all types of stews and casseroles, game, and even flavorful fish stews.
Here we recommend you a bunch of Garnacha pairings and BBQ occasions so you can enjoy you summermeet ups to the fullest:
Weeknight grilling: Outdoor cooking, bonfire and good conversation. Everything from BBQ classics like burgers, steaks and chops to less typical BBQ fare like pizzas can pair with fleshy, flavorful Grenache based-reds. You can add vegetables and it will be a perfect match, for a casual weeknight meal.
- Pairing tip: a full-bodied Garnacha with aromas of dark, ripe berries finishing with a good minerality, is greatly paired with spicier grilled dishes such as ribs covered with rich barbecue sauce.
Weekend lunch: slow cooking. While boneless cuts grill more quickly, whole chickens do it easier and come off the grill juicy. Make your rich and full-flavored whites the best partner for any poultry. In this case, white Grenache not only pairs perfectly with summer salads or cheeses like fetta and halloumi, but also with pork chops with apples and spicy-rubbed grilled chicken.
- Pairing tip: Your funkiest Garnacha Blanca (white) will make the perfect match with a poultry, or anything served with (or marinated in) an herb sauce.
The sweetest point: However, do not worry, because if you go straight for the grilled chicken choice but you are not a white wine fan, Grenache rosés are your thing! Garnacha rosé may be fuller-bodied and sweeter for your juicy choices.
- Pairing tip: In case of having rosé at the party, bring a bowl of a sweet mango sauce to it!
More ideas from/at:
Last April the 14th, the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of Grenaches du Monde International Contest took place in PDO Terra Alta (Catalonia, Spain). The land of white Garnacha was this edition’s host region and chose Gandesa as its main spot for several tastings occurred from April 12 to April 14.
Grenaches du Monde is one of the most important dates in the calendar for all Garnacha areas all around the world and the perfect scenario of a worldwide meeting of 75 wine specialists coming from ten countries (France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, China and South Korea) who qualified 839 different wines made from this diverse grape. The wines were majorly coming from USA, Australia, Spain, France, Italy and Lebanon.
This year, 259 references were awarded with gold and silver medals. Looking at the list of winners, we can say Aragonese and Roussillon wines are in great shape. Particularly, Aragon’ Garnachas register a new record, taking home a number of 64 medals (35 gold, 29 silver) 13 more than last year’s edition. PDOs as Campo de Borja, Calatayud and Cariñena were the indisputable winners within the region, not far from Somontano and Vinos de Madrid. On the other hand, the region of Roussillon enjoyed of a great position as well, something already habitual when it comes to get on the podium. DO Terra Alta did not stay with empty hands either, collecting 34 medals.
Before the greatest party of Garnacha finished, Philipe Bourrier and Fabrice Rieu, president of CIVR (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Rossillon) and president of the concourse respectively, announced in Le Nuit des Grenaches that the seventh edition of Grenaches du Monde would come back to the place of its creation for next year. It seems Garnacha/Grenache lovers have a new date to save in the calendar: Roussillon is waiting for all of them during April 17 and 18, 2019!
If you want to see the list of winners of the sixth edition (2018) please follow this link.
