Another Great Spanish Alternative

A few months back I posted a blog about great Alternative Spanish reds, like the wines Toro, Ribera del Duero and Bierzo. These all make fantastic Alternatives to Rioja, and luckily for Spanish lovers we can now add a tasty red from Campo de Borja to that list. The Campo de Borja region is located on South Eastern border of the Rioja Region.

Bodegas Borsao is one of the leading producers in Campo de Borja, and the Borsao Selection 2008 is a great example of the wine this region can produce. The Selection is a blend of 70% Grenache (the most used grape in this region, see previous post about Grenache), 20% Syrah and 10% Tempranillo all from vines at least 15 years old. The wine is an intense cherry red in colour with violet undertones. The bouquet is dominate by cherries and red berries with a slight floral note and on the palate the wine is a delicately medium bodied with well balanced tannin and acidity and again those cherry notes coming to the surface. The finish has a complex and and lasting aftertaste. This is a great wine by the glass for these dreary August days.

Give it a go! Part 1: Grenache

Normally we don't champion any particular grape variety but over the next few we'll be suggesting a few different grape types and wine styles to try. First up is the Grenache grape, over the last few weeks we've had a great response to Grenache-based wines and wines with Grenache in the Blend, like the Camplazens 'La Garrigue', and the Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz-Grenache . So we decided to let you know a little more about this wonderful grape. Up until recently it was the most planted red grape variety even though it didn't appear on labels, it is used quite extensively in Rhone blends and is one of the 13 permitted grape varieties in Chateaunuef-du-Pape. It is quite popular in new world blends particularly in Australia where it is combined with shiraz to produce big spicy robust reds. But grenache as a single varietal produces lovely reds with raspberry, cherry flavours and a hint of white pepper.

Artazurri Grenacha 2006

Grenache or Grenacha as it is known in Spain is an important grape for blending, many well known Riojas are blends of Tempranillo and Grenacha. The Artazuri is a fabulous old vine grenache, deep ruby, purple tinged in colour. Sweet crunchy raspberry and cherry fruit on the nose and repeated on the palate leading to a luscious finish.

Chateau Camplazens Grenache 2006

A great french grenache from Languedoc, in the south of France, where it is found in many blends. The Camplazens is a full, robust flavours of dark plum, cherry and prune which are overlaid with a dusty almost earthy undertones. This wine also has an inviting hint of spice.

Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2006

This lovely new world offering is taking from bush vines, that is vines that are grown like small trees as opposed to high trellising. It has an intense aromas of plums cloves and spices. The palate medium bodied and shows sweet berries and dark cherry fruit flavours and a generous touch of spice.