DISCOVER THE SECRET
It was known to just a few great wine connoisseurs for many years. It has now been rediscovered and is captivating people around the world with its freshness and its beautiful fruitiness, making it ideal for pairing. There are many references that place its origin in Aragon and while it may prove impossible to verify that, it can be said without a doubt that knowledge about it has been passed down the generations here for at least 800 years. Little wonder that winegrowers talk with such love about the contents of their fields.
HARD TO RESIST
Grenache is conquering wine lovers thanks to its fruity flavour, its mild tannins and its pleasant finish in the mouth, making it a perfect variety to pair. In Aragon we find it in both monovarietal and mixed to enhance the flavour of other grapes. It delights with its spicy red fruit aromas, raspberries, strawberries and plums. Its tannins get more enchanting with age, with a touch of licorice, leather and even white pepper... a treat for the palate!
ON THE HUNT FOR GRENACHE
Masterfully adapted to the terrain. It needs a warm dry climate for its potential to be exploited. This grape loves strong winds that clean it up and ready it for the harvest. A grape that blooms early and ripens late. It is usually gobelet or cordon trained and is usually pruned short to control its vigour. It is grown over 1,000 metres above sea level in Aragon! Grenache is one of the easiest grapes to identify. The grapes come in large, compact clusters with medium-sized, round and juicy grains. Their skin is hard, thick and bluish in tone. The leaves are round without marked lobes.
ORIGIN
Many references since the Middle Ages place its cultivation in Aragon. Tales of monks, warriors and pilgrims appear amongst them. Be that as it may, the truth is versatility brought this grape to other areas of Spain and on to the south of France, the Rhone Valley and Italy. It would later cross oceans to reach Africa, Argentina, California and Australia. The Garnachas del Mundo competition is a good example of the passion it arouses all over the world.
OTHER SECRETS
While grenache may be the star, the richness of our wines does not stop there. Aragon, with its varied climates and terroirs, has given the world other grapes. Cariñena is the only designation of origin that shares its name with a variety of grape: Carignan, Mazuela or, simply, Cariñena. In addition to the characteristic varieties of Spanish red, there is also room for cava, whites or even surprise appearances from Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewürztraminer.
