Heat-loving high-yielding grape variety Garnacha (Grenache)
Garnacha is a grape variety native to either Catalonia or Sardinia. Ampelographs (specialists in grape crops) still cannot agree on the origin of the variety. The culture is most common in Spain, Italy, France, California, Australia, Israel. These grapes are used to produce rich ruby-red tannic wines with aromas of black pepper, spices, smoke, tobacco and delicate, harmonious rosé wines.
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Description and characteristics of the Garnacha grape variety
Garnacha or Grenache is a star variety in the Spanish Priory. Here he is called Garnacha Tinta, Uva di Spagna, Lladoner, Tinto, Tinto Aragones, Tinta, Roussillon Tinto, Tintilo de Rota, Tinto Menudo, Tinta Mencida.
In Sicily, this grape variety is known as Granaccia, on the island of Sardinia - Cannanou, in France - Grenache Noir, Alicante, Carignane Rousse, Roussillon, Sans Pareil, Rivesaltes, Aragonais, Rouvaillard, Redondal, Ranconnat.
Origin story
The exact time of the appearance of the variety is unknown. Some ampelographs believe that this grape is native to Catalonia, from where it spread to Navarre (Spain), Languedoc-Roussillon (southern France) and Sardinia. However, the inhabitants of Sardinia are sure that it was on their island that Grenache appeared, and from here in the 14th century he came to Spain.
The variety got its name in honor of the wine-growing region in Liguria - Vernazze. Initially it was called Vernaccia, later the name changed to Garnacha. The most popular red variety, white and pink grapes are rare and mostly in France.
According to another version, Grenache was brought out in the north of Aragon - the territory bordering on France. For a long time, red wines with a bright taste, high alcohol and tannin content were made from it. Later, the French managed to fully reveal the potential of grapes, adding blends and softening the taste of drinks. In the south of France, wine must on the skin was not insisted for a long time, which, as a result, made it possible to get light rosé wine, which became popular among connoisseurs of the drink.
The current position of the variety is ambiguous. Despite the importance and consistency of Grenache, single-varietal wines from it, until recently, were produced in small volumes. Only at the beginning of the XXI century, the Spaniards returned to their roots and began to re-produce red wines with a strong taste, gradually returning the popularity of the variety.
Description of grapes
Garnacha is a high-yielding and thermophilic variety that thrives in heat and drought conditions... It has taken root on stony dry Spanish soils, it has a high adaptive ability to sandstones and limestones in other countries. In smaller quantities, Grenache is cultivated in fertile valleys with moderate humidity, since a large amount of moisture negatively affects the growth and development of the plant - fungal infection and aphids join.
The vine blooms early, but the growing season is quite long, and therefore the berries fall unripe. Nevertheless, winemakers consider this feature unique, against the background of a decrease in yield, the remaining berries absorb all the useful substances from the vine, which is best manifested in wine.
Grenache belongs to the Western European group of grape species, which are characterized by a late ripening period. Since this variety grows mainly in hot climates, its wines contain 15% alcohol or more.In varietal wines, Grenache exhibits spicy-berry notes and the most pronounced aroma of raspberries. The technical grade Garnacha is used exclusively for wine production and is not suitable for fresh consumption and long-term storage.
Interesting. The calorie content of fresh berries is low - only 70 kcal per 100 g. The calorie content of finished wines is unchanged, however, the energy value juice doubles due to the large amount of fructose and glucose.
The bushes are characterized by great vigor of growth, form an average number of stepchildren. The trunks are powerful, allowing the bush to survive even as a stand-alone plant. The vine is characterized by resistance to dry and windy weather, is able to grow in hot Californian and Australian climates. The root system is strong, able to do without water for a long time.
Leaves are small or medium, five- or three-lobed, serrated at the edges. The leaf plate has a curved shape and resembles a funnel. The front side of the leaf is glossy, and the back is covered with a slight cobweb edge. The vine ripens completely.
Bunches of medium size, conical shape, medium density or very loose... The berries are round, small, purple or dark purple in color with a slight waxy bloom. The skin is dense and thick. The pulp is juicy, sweet.
The place of growth and climate directly affect the acidity indicators. Acid levels are often below average. When grapes are cultivated on rocky and shale soil, sweet berries with a high level of tannins are formed, from which a rich wine is produced that has been stored for decades. When growing Grenache in arid climates, the yield is about 20 c / ha.
Growing regions
The Grenache variety is widespread not only in European countries (Italy, Spain, France) but also in the USA (California), Australia, Israel. In the south of France, there are clones of the variety: Grenache rose (pink), Grenache gris (gray) and Grenache blanc (white). A soft white wine with a dense structure is produced from the white variety.
For a long time, grapes confidently held the second place in terms of area landings, but in the 19th century, winemakers switched to growing varieties of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache took the fourth place in popularity. This was facilitated by the EU's campaign to uproot vineyards to drain Europe's "wine lake".
The world plantations of Grenache occupy 200 thousand hectares, which exceeds the area under Pinot noir. Paradoxically, Grenaca is little known to consumers, despite its enviable distribution. In liquor stores, buyers often pay attention to Malbec, Pinot Noir or Carmenere.
This is due to the fact that in many wine-growing regions it is not possible to obtain mono-varietal quality wine from Grenache due to its varietal characteristics. Many drinks made from these grapes have a very ordinary taste, dense texture, pale color and contain more than 14% alcohol.
Therefore, producers make every effort to keep the yield of the variety under control, use various growing technologies in order to obtain a rich ruby color and improve taste.
Interesting, but on the meager rocky soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, scrupulous winemakers use the method of merciless trimming Grenache and get delicious red wines that reveal their qualities as they age.
Taste qualities
The taste and aroma of the Granacha variety are ambiguous. In a single-varietal version, the wine has notes of wild berries and spices, which are brighter in taste than in smell. Depending on the location, year, production technology and aging, Grenache shows fruity, morocco, woody, raspberry, strawberry and herbal notes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the variety:
- drought and wind resistance;
- developed root system;
- strong vine;
- high sugar content;
- frost resistance up to -18 ° С;
- unpretentiousness to the composition of the soil;
- resistance to fungal diseases.
Disadvantages:
- a decrease in taste with high yields;
- the development of powdery mildew and the appearance of aphids in conditions of high humidity.
Wine from the Grenache variety
The following wines are made from these grapes:
- in Spain, Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita;
- in California - Sine Qua Non;
- in France - Chateauneuf-du-Pape;
- in Australia - Torbreck, Clarendon Hills.
Characteristic aromas:
- not aged in oak barrels: spices, freshly ground black pepper, red berries;
- with long aging in oak barrels: spices, vanilla, black pepper, berries;
- with long-term aging in barrels and bottles: toasted toast, smoke, tar, tobacco, humidor (cigar storage box).
The Grenache grape is capricious, somewhat reminiscent of Pinot noir and requires a special approach. The variety had a bad reputation at first, until winemakers were found to unleash its potential. Rene Barbier and Alvaro Palaose at the beginning of the 80s. of the last century, they bought abandoned hundred-year-old vineyards in the Priorat mountains, growing on stones. At the beginning of the XXI century, they began to create masterpiece wines in the spirit of modern times - refined, rich, terroir.
Reference. The bouquet of terroir wines captures the general characteristics of wines from a specific area. These drinks are controlled by origin. The type and composition of the soil, the climate, the location of the vineyard and the technology of wine production are taken into account.
In France, Garnacha is valued for its "plasticity" - wines of various styles are made from berries. The grapes Mourvèdre and Syrah are used to produce typical French wine. The result is a drink with a berry, at the same time delicate and complex aroma. In the south of France, wines with a floral, harmonious aroma are preferred.
Spanish winemakers do not stand on ceremony with Grenache, creating a fragrant, powerful monovino or complicating it with Tempranillo and Monastrell.
Americans and Californians try to get creative and create single varieties, interesting blends and unexpected stylized light rosés and burgundy red tannins. Fortified drinks are also popular in Australia, creating an analogue of Portuguese port - they combine Grenache with Shiraz and Moorvedre.
Planting seedlings
Under landing choose sunny areas on the south or west side. The most favorable period for planting is April.
The site is pre-dug, the heavy clay soil is loosened by adding sand. Pits are formed with a size of 80x80 cm, drainage - brick or crushed stone - is placed on the bottom. A layer of earth is poured on top.
For planting, choose healthy and strong seedlings, with a green top cut. Healthy roots are white. Before planting, the seedlings are immersed in water with the addition of a growth stimulant ("Kornevin", "Epin"). Then they are planted in prepared pits, observing a distance of 1.5 m, the roots are straightened, earth is poured on top, slightly compacted and watered abundantly with warm water. Next to each seedling, a support is installed for further garter.
Subtleties of further care
The first year of seedling development is considered the most important. With proper care, the bushes take root better and grow faster.
Basic rules of care:
- Intensive watering is provided only when planting. In the future, the bushes do not need it, because they prefer drier soil.
- After planting, the trunk circle is mulched with sawdust, straw, dry grass to prevent the growth of weeds and the spread of infections and insects.
- The grown shoots are tied to a support, setting the desired direction of growth.
- In the summer, the leaves are periodically examined for fungal infections.
- Top dressing of Grenache is performed once. For this, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and copper are used. An example of a nutrient solution: 20 g superphosphate, 10 g ammonium nitrate and 5 g potassium salt per 10 liters of water.
- In the fall, the ripe vine is pruned after the end of the sap flow. Only the lower shoots are removed, giving the bush the shape of a fan.This helps the grapes to allocate resources and not waste energy on a large number of branches.
- In the first year after planting, young bushes cover for the winter agrofibre, which is removed in early spring. Considering the main regions cultivation grapes, winters are not severe here.
Disease and pest control
In general, the Grenache grape variety is distinguished by strong immunity and rarely gets sick in a dry climate that is comfortable for it. Problems arise when the humidity of the air and soil rises. Powdery mildew affects the vine most often. For the treatment of bushes, Bordeaux liquid and preparations with colloidal sulfur are used.
To protect the grapes from wasps attacks, the bunches are placed in a mesh or cloth bag. To kill aphids, insecticides are used, for example, "Fozalon" or "Kinmiks".
Harvesting and storage
The bunches are cut with pruning shears in dry sunny weather and immediately sent for processing. Technical grape varieties are not subject to long-term storage.
Conclusion
The Garnacha or Garnache grape is a thermophilic ancient variety. Ampelographs consider it the birthplace of the Spanish Navarra or the island of Sicily. The crop shows the best results when grown on dry and stony soil, in hot and dry climates, does not tolerate waterlogging and drafts. Grenache is used to make red wines with rich taste, aroma and alcohol content of at least 14%. In the south of France, this variety is used to make light rosé wines.
The plant is distinguished by strong immunity and suffers only from powdery mildew in conditions of high humidity. The bushes do not need intensive watering, feeding is applied once, pruning is performed in the fall in order to form bushes and remove mature vines.