Also known as Mourvèdre, this variety requires a warm continental weather, as it begins to show its expressivity above 13 degrees. It produces wines with strong color and high amounts of tannin, which are also sweet and meaty. As a young wine, it produces astringent ones. Hence, its production is typically oriented towards crianza and sweet wines.
Characteristic aromas: Being a grape variety requires a high degree of sugar to achieve a proper ripening, the aromas tend towards ripe black fruit, compote and sometimes even dry fruits (fig, plum), floral (violet…). After aging it tends to aromas such as leather and cigar.
This variety originates in France. Although it is also believed to have its origin in Iran. It requires warm weather, what allows it to be cultivated in various countries such as Spain. Although it has obtained its best results in Australia, making worldwide known the Australian Syrah wines. It features great properties for aging.
Characteristic aromas: It features a higher complexity with respect to other grape varieties. Alternating red and black fruits (raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant…); spicy spices such as pepper; sweet ones such as cloves and cinnamon; floral; from animals (leather, musk…); smoked and mineral (tar…). Its faulty version may have the aroma of wet animal hair.
(Garnacha Tintorera)
This variety was employed at the last stages of the last century mainly to add color to other wines. Thus its role remained limited to bulk selling. Even though it can be found in areas as diverse as Galicia or Extremadura, it is in the area of Almansa as well as other zones in south-eastern Spain where it has gained its highest importance. It is internationally known as Alicante Bouschet. This variety is the result of a double crossing. Firstly the Aramon variety, which predominates in the French “Midi” (Languedoc-Roussillon), was crossed with the Teinturier du Cher, originating the Petit Bouschet. This new variety was then crossed with Garnacha (known as Alicante in Franca), creating then the Alicante Bouschet: resistant to drought and extreme weathers and with high coloring ability.
Characteristic aromas: Since we typically find this variety accompanying others, it is difficult to define its own characteristic aromas. We can highlight the black fruits aromas (blackberry). If the grapes were not completely ripen, we can also find vegetable aromas. Even floral ones can be found in this variety.
