Garnacha (Grenache in France) has long been known as a workhouse grape. It was always thought of as a low quality varietal that was only useful in blends. Because of this, it was at one time the most planted red grape in both France and Spain. Nowadays, Garnacha or Grenache, is starting to see a rejuvenation.
In Spain, there are 3 clone varietals of Garnacha as well. There is the more common Garnacha Tinta. Garnacha Peluda ("Hairy Grenache") is the varietal that is widely planted in Priorat. It is named because their leaves have a fuzzy, soft texture. Another clone is Garnacha Tintorera.
Garnacha Tintorera is a hybrid of Grenache and Petit Bouschet. It is widely planted in Southeastern Spain. You will also see smatterings of plantings in Portugal, France as well as California. A fun fact, Garnacha Tintorera or Alicante Bouschet, as it is also known, was extremely popular in the United States during prohibition. Thanks to the grapes thick skin, it was easy to get fermentable juice from and it also transported well.
What I like about Garnacha from Spain is that is a wine that usually shows great fruit but it is still a dryer wine. It is very versatile to different palates. Honoro Vera is no different in this regard. It shows great notes of juicy plums and sweet berries on the palate. It is not very tannic either. Even though it shows great fruit, it is not sweet. This is highlighted by the touch of pepper on the finish.
Overall, it is an extremely enjoyable red wine. It is not an extremely complex wine but that is what is great about Garnacha. It does not try to be something that it isn't. I think Garnacha's are some of the best value wines on the market today. Honoro Vera is no different as you can find it on the shelves for $8 to $10. That is an absolute steal!
Honoro Vera Garnacha in a Nutshell:
Description: 100% Garnacha. Great fruit on the nose of cherry and blackberry. Fruit is extremely evident on the palate with notes of juicy plums and currants. This is all balanced out by a touch of pepper on the finish. Extremely easy to drink, fruitful red wine that is not sweet.
Food Pairings: Versatile red wine that can compliment a variety of dishes. I have it enjoyed it with a ribeye steak off the grill as well as a goat cheese stuffed ravioli in meat sauce.
Vintage/Price: The current vintage is 2011. The wine is great but the price is even better. An absolute robbery at $9.99 on most shelves.
For more information about Honoro Vera and other wines of Bodegas Ateca, please vist: Oro Wines
In Spain, there are 3 clone varietals of Garnacha as well. There is the more common Garnacha Tinta. Garnacha Peluda ("Hairy Grenache") is the varietal that is widely planted in Priorat. It is named because their leaves have a fuzzy, soft texture. Another clone is Garnacha Tintorera.
Garnacha Tintorera is a hybrid of Grenache and Petit Bouschet. It is widely planted in Southeastern Spain. You will also see smatterings of plantings in Portugal, France as well as California. A fun fact, Garnacha Tintorera or Alicante Bouschet, as it is also known, was extremely popular in the United States during prohibition. Thanks to the grapes thick skin, it was easy to get fermentable juice from and it also transported well.
What I like about Garnacha from Spain is that is a wine that usually shows great fruit but it is still a dryer wine. It is very versatile to different palates. Honoro Vera is no different in this regard. It shows great notes of juicy plums and sweet berries on the palate. It is not very tannic either. Even though it shows great fruit, it is not sweet. This is highlighted by the touch of pepper on the finish.
Overall, it is an extremely enjoyable red wine. It is not an extremely complex wine but that is what is great about Garnacha. It does not try to be something that it isn't. I think Garnacha's are some of the best value wines on the market today. Honoro Vera is no different as you can find it on the shelves for $8 to $10. That is an absolute steal!
Honoro Vera Garnacha in a Nutshell:
Description: 100% Garnacha. Great fruit on the nose of cherry and blackberry. Fruit is extremely evident on the palate with notes of juicy plums and currants. This is all balanced out by a touch of pepper on the finish. Extremely easy to drink, fruitful red wine that is not sweet.
Food Pairings: Versatile red wine that can compliment a variety of dishes. I have it enjoyed it with a ribeye steak off the grill as well as a goat cheese stuffed ravioli in meat sauce.
Vintage/Price: The current vintage is 2011. The wine is great but the price is even better. An absolute robbery at $9.99 on most shelves.
For more information about Honoro Vera and other wines of Bodegas Ateca, please vist: Oro Wines
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