Official wine days seem to be popping up all the time, and we have no problem with that! September 18 will be Grenache (Garnacha) day, as if we need an excuse for pouring a glass of this red grape that plays an excellent supporting role just as well as the lead in any bottle. Grenache is commonly blended in the Rhone Valley of France or in Australia, but most often in Spain, as in a bottle of the Piqueras Black Label Old Vines Garnacha, it gets to star on its own.
Tasting Note: Black Label Old Vines Garnacha is packed with ripe red and black fruit, oak spices and white pepper notes which are balanced by its bright acidity, adding a refreshing touch to this dense and intense wine.
Enjoy With: Anything off the grill from steaks or burgers to pork chops or chicken with BBQ sauce.
Style: A dry, medium-bodied and fruity red wine.
Terroir / Region: Known for hot, dry summers – as in 40℃ kind of hot and only 1 foot of rain per year kind of dry – Almansa’s wines show their climate through rich and intense flavours and aromas. Producers must work to not only grow their grapes, but prevent their grapes from turning to raisins by the end of the season!
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras is very conscious of where it comes from. The family has been there for over 100 years and has been caring for the region in a big way. It only uses renewable energy to power the winery thanks to a rooftop covered in solar panels. The grapes it grows are organic although the labels may not always reflect it, and it celebrates the bio-diversity of the region by integrating it into the vineyards. It’s almost as if a winery just grew there one day 100 years ago!
Availability: Piqueras Black Label Old Vines Garnacha is available year-round in the Spain section of your local LCBO. Grab a bottle for Garnacha (Grenache) Day on Tuesday, or for any day before or after!
