ALICANTE BOUSCHET WINE

Wines made from Alicante Bouschet tend to be robust and full bodied, with dark-fruit flavors (blackberries, blueberries, black cherries) and moderate to high tannins. When aged in oak, hints of sweet spice and smoky or earthy notes may emerge. In warm regions like Portugal, the Alicante Bouschet wines produced are likely to be higher in alcohol, body and tannins.

The name Alicante Bouchet is a tribute to the grape’s birthplace and its creator. The grape is a crossbreed of Grenache (called Alicante in southern France) and Petit Bouschet. It was brought to life by botanist Henri Bouschet in the mid 1800s. The correct Alicante Bouchet pronunciation is “Ah-lee-KAHN-tay Boo-SHAY.”

Darker fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries and black cherries. If the wine is aged in oak, it may present notes of sweet spice and smoky or earthy notes.

Alicante is a teinturier grape, which means it has both red skin and flesh. Because of that, it produces big, full, fruit-forward, powerful wines, making it an ideal food pairing for pork, steak, hearty stews (with or without meat), braised red meats and sausage.