Alicante Bouschet

Alicante Bouschet, also known as Garnacha Tintorera, is a dark-skinned grape variety with red flesh, making it a so called "teinturier" grape. Originating in France, the grape is known for its intense colour and robust aromas and flavours.

Alicante Bouschet is a deep red grape with a thick skin and red flesh. Its intense colour and tannins contribute to its popularity as a blending partner. The grape has a wide range of aromas, including dark fruits such as blackberries, plums and cherries, as well as savoury notes such as tobacco and leather. The taste profile is characterised by ripe dark fruit, peppery spice and a hint of floral notes.

Alicante Bouschet is a widely planted grape variety, with plantings in over 20 countries. It is also grown in Portugal, where it is used in port production. In Spain, it is grown mainly in the Valencia and Alicante regions, where it is used to produce a variety of wines. Furthermore, it is also planted in California, Australia, and other parts of the world. Alicante Bouschet is a hardy grape variety which can be grown in a variety of climates and soils. It is a vigorous vine with large clusters of grapes, so careful pruning and canopy management is needed to ensure quality. In the winery, the grape is usually fermented on the skins for a short time, to not over extract colour and tannins. It also can be used to make fortified wines. Alicante Bouschet produces a wide range of wines with different styles and flavour profiles. In Portugal, the grape is used to make a range of styles, such as full-bodied reds, rosés as well as fortified wines. In Spain, it is used to produce a range of red wines, from light and fruity to intense and tannic. In California, the grape is often used to make rich, full-bodied reds. Alicante Bouschet is a versatile grape variety that pairs well with a variety of foods. Its intense flavours and tannins make it a good match for rich and savoury dishes such as steak, game and other meats. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables, tomato-based dishes and cheese.

Alicante is a so called "teinturier", a grape with red, instead of white flesh.

It is one of the few teinturier grapes that belong to the Vitis vinifera species.