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International Garnacha Day, a day to celebrate

17/09/2020 Decántalo

Every third Friday in September, the Garnacha Association celebrates the International Day of this red variety. In 2020, this day falls on September 18 and in the various wine regions where Garnacha is an important variety, producers will take the opportunity to champion and promote its great winemaking potential and the amazing wines it produces. Before you read the rest of this article, why not take a look at the collection of Garnacha wines in our catalogue?

grenache wines

5 facts about the Garnacha variety

1- Spain, the largest producer

Currently the second most planted strain after Tempranillo in Spain, this winemaking country produces the most wines with the Garnacha variety. Late to ripen and resistant to wind and drought, this variety grows in most Spanish regions, except Galicia, Asturias and the Canary Islands. It is mainly produced for single variety wines in the Aragón area (Calatayud, Cariñena and Campo de Borja), but it is also mixed with other varieties like Tempranillo in Rioja. 

2- Italian origin

The largest producer is Spain and until recently the variety was thought to be from Aragon, but recent studies have placed its origins on the island of Sardinia (Italy), where this variety is known as Cannonau. If that is true, it may have arrived in Spain under the name Tinto Aragonés with the Aragonese who occupied the island during the XIV century. 

3- Famous throughout the world

Productive and resistant, this variety has had no trouble spreading around the world. The Garnacha Tinta is the fifth most planted variety in the world, growing in countries like Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Mexico, South Africa, California, Chile and Australia. It also has many different names: Lledoner, Garnatjo, Garnacho, Garnatxo, Grenache, Bois Jaune, Girons, Vernassa and Aleante di Rivalto.

4- A heroic variety

Late maturing and resistant to harsh weather conditions, this is a productive variety that requires little water and can cope with the sun better than most others. It is a Mediterranean variety that grows vigorously in poor soils of clay and limestone and if you know how to cultivate and limit the yield, it produces a smaller amount but of higher quality. 

5- Very versatile

This grape produces aromatic wines that are not very intense in colour, but have a high alcohol content and good acidity. It ages quickly and is a very versatile, making it popular for us in many dry, sweet, musty and sparkling rosé wines. And having travelled all over the world, it has been mixed with other berries and now exists in a whole range of colours: Garnacha Negra, Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Rosa, Garnacha Gris, Garnacha Peludo and Garnacha Tintorera…

4 Garnacha producers to look out for

1- Alvaro Palacios

One of the main players of the Spanish wine scene revolution and someone who has made great wines known all over the world, Alvaro Palacios knows how to handle the Garnacha variety better than anyone and has his own winery in Gratallops (Priorat). He makes coupages with other local varieties like Cariñena, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, producing wines with a marked character that are well-known in every corner. Wines like Camins del Priorat, Gratallops, L’Ermita, Les Terrasses and Finca Dofí are proof of this. 

2- Comando G

Named after a cartoon series from the eighties, Comando G has revolutionised the wine scene with their Garnachas grown in the Sierra de Gredos (Madrid). Until recently, this area had been forgotten, but these bold young men have managed to recover it by planting some Garnacha vines in granite soil and produce wines that are exceptionally fresh and elegant. This is clear to see in the Tumba del Rey Moro, Las Umbrías, La Bruja de Rozas and  El Hombre Bala wines.

3- Proyecto Zorzal

For a while, the Garnacha variety was missed out of coupages made in Rioja and Navarra, but projects like this one run by the Sanz brothers have managed to skillfully bring it back. Owning one of Navarra’s oldest vineyards of this variety, aged over 100 years old, they have focussed on cultivating it to produce delicious wines like Señora de las Alturas, Corral de los Altos, El Inquilino and Lecciones de vuelo.

4- Fernando Mora

Finally, Master of Wine Fernando Mora delved into the most unknown wine region of Aragon (Valdejalón) to create his own personal project, Frontonio. His work is all with the aim of recovering the local old Garnachas which has resulted in some limited production microvinifications made in his small garage at home: Las Alas de Frontonio, El Jardín de los Iguales and Frontonio La Cerqueta Special Cuvée.

With such a wide range of possibilities, you are certain to find something you love. Take a look at all the options on Decántalo. Try for yourself and celebrate #GarnachaDay the right way.

Image by PxFuel.

Original on Pxfuel.com.

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