Grape Garnacha

 

In Spain it is called “Garnacha” and France called “Grenache” the word that sounds much more elegant and refined. Possibly one of the most widely planted red grape varieties in the world. This is a variety with high quality potential: it can also produce generic wines or wines of exceptional quality. Not only it is planted in the aforementioned countries, but its fame has brought to the New World countries like United States, Australia and Mexico.

 

Its origins are the subject of debate between countries. Several studies have been conducted and the results are as follows: it is said that this grape is native to Spain, especially in the region of Aragon. However, some French disagree with this assertion and say that this variety originated in their country. Other studies say that this strain arrived in Spain coming from Sardinia, island belonging to Italy during the fourteenth century.

 

This strain was successfully spread throughout Catalonia, the area of the Pyrenees and southern France. Time then was making headway and popularity in other regions such as La Rioja, but where has achieved greater success in Spain is in Priorat, Catalonia. In France, the regions of Laguedoc-Roussillon, Provence and the Rhone are excellent ambassadors of this variety. And of course we must not leave out Chateauneuf du Pape, a region where even used thirteen different varieties, grenache is almost always the basis of the blends.

 

Because of the great diversity of terroirs where this variety is planted, there are different styles that are obtained from the same variety. Since light wines, low concentration of color and low tannins, to highly concentrated, so intense in color wines that seem black ink, and full body. These results are obtained by the terroir where plant and winemaking techniques.

 

Something that is key as to the result of the fruit is the age of the vines. When the garnacha or grenache has more than 50 years in forward is when we provide the best product, since their yields decline with age, the fruit has more character and a higher quality wine is obtained.