Why Garnacha Rocks

Why Garnacha Rocks

While the most widely planted red wine varietal in Spain is Tempranillo - the star for the renowned wines of La Rioja and Ribera del Duero, it’s Garnacha that seems to be getting a whole lot of love lately.  Garnacha is a varietal that originated from Aragón, Spain centuries ago (with some debate).  One of the most widely planted grapes in the world, Garnacha is versatile, and until recently, mostly primarily used in blends. Nascent viticultural efforts have yielded astonishing results in terms of quality in such a short window of time.

A wave of ambitious young winemakers has rediscovered the low-yield, bush-vine trained Garnacha planted throughout Priorat, Aragón, and in the Sierra de Gredos mountains that offer high-altitude (1000m+) parcels bringing a quality of freshness to the wines.  There are other regions in Spain where high-altitude Garnacha is also being cultivated, such as Rioja Alavesa and Campo de Borja, but those soils are primarily limestone and ferrous clay, and at lower elevations (up to 700m).

Conscientious viticultores know to distinguish between microclimates and soil composition.  Slate, granite and schist soils are essential for the vitality of the varietal.  
These soil types contribute to the unique terruños, shaping the character and quality of the wines. Vineyard orientation and high-elevation farming is extremely challenging, but the heroic viticulture is worth the human effort.  

A key component to the differences in the vineyards is the soil composition. For high-altitude Garnachas, slate and granite, two distinct types of geological rock formations, each contribute specific characteristics to the soils. In addition, vine growth, grape ripening, and ultimately the wine’s flavor profile is influenced greatly by the type of soil.

Slate vs. Granite

What is slate?

Slate is metamorphic rock derived from shale under high pressure and temperature. Fine-grained and sheet-like in appearance, hued gray, black, or blue with a robust mineral composition, providing sharp acidity and useful for nutrient consumption by the vines.  Slate soils also facilitate drainage and heat retention, releasing daily heat absorption during the evening, crucial for proper grape ripening.

In the wine world, one type of high-grade metamorphic rock soil is prized – schist. Schist soils, formed from mudstone or shale, are subjected to higher pressure and temperature than slate.  Schist soils are coarser-grained and flaky, gray, green, or brown in color, and very efficient for drainage and flavor concentration.  Other soils that fall within the metamorphic rock spectrum include gneiss, phyllite, and diorite. 

What is granite?

Granite is igneous rock formed by slowly cooled magma.  Coarse-grained and crystalline in texture, speckled white, pink, or gray in appearance, granite soils also offer good drainage for the vines, as well as moderate heat retention, but not to the degree of slate soils.  Nonetheless, packed with potassium, fine minerality, and lower acidity, Garnacha made from granite soils exhibit aromatic complexity, structure, and finesse.  Textures include silty, iron, and quartz.

 

What do the wines taste like?

Light ruby in color, fresh and vibrant, structured and complex, floral, red fruity, with hallmark acidity, fine-grained tannins, crystalline and mineral-driven.

There is one quality these Garnachas share in common: elegance.

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