THE RISE AND RISE OF GARNACHA
GRAPES: GARNACHA THE RISE AND RISE OF GARNACHA Spain’s widespread excitement for Garnacha has spread to Rioja. Traditionally used in blends, this grape variety is not only performing well on its own, but is also capturing the distinctive character of the region’s terroirs STORY AMAYA CERVERA Garnacha is an increasingly popular choice for ambitious winemakers in Rioja. ‘It reflects the specific character of an area better than Tempranillo,’ says Juan Bautista García of Bodegas Paco García, who discovered that most of the old vineyards in Murillo de Río Leza – the village southeast of Logroño where he is based – were planted with Garnacha. ‘Tempranillo is fairly homogenous; Garnacha is prone to coulure [poor fruit set after flowering] and production can vary widely, but it offers far more diversity and…