What is Alicante Bouschet?
Alicante Bouschet is widely known as a teinturier grape variety. Meaning ‘dyer’ in relation to the grapes pigmented flesh. Most red wine grape varieties have an uncoloured flesh, resulting in clear juice. Teinturier grapes have deep red flesh, making richer coloured wines. These grapes are larger in size and full of juicy goodness! This is a wine you need on your tasting list.
What are the origins of Alicante Bouschet?
This rare red wine variety is a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache. It was first cultivated by viticulturist Henri Bouschet in 1866 and was originally used as a blending grape to enhance the depth of colour in wines. Alicante was widely planted in Spain and France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. But lost exposure in the late 20th Century due to other popular varieties becoming more desired in the wine world.
Petit Bouschet is a red fleshed variety dating back to the 1820s in French wine history.
Grenache is a red grape variety that is known to be one of the most widely distributed grapes in the world.
Alicante Bouschet taste & style profile
Our Alicante is a fruit driven style with flavours of dark berries, black cherries, plums and smoky pepper. It is a full body wine with silk tannins, medium acidity and an elegant French oak finish.
How to pronounce Alicante Bouschet?
ALAH-CUN-TAY BOO-SHAY (sounds posh, doesn’t it?)
Alicante Bouschet Pairings
This full body wine matches perfectly with smoked meats, pairing the Alicante’s smokey and sweet flavours with equally intense foods. Try something like barbecued kebabs and grilled vegetables! The fruit driven profile of Alicante Bouschet can be paired with bold and hard cheeses like pecorino or strong cheddar. A great wine for your next charcuterie board. If you have a love for all things chocolate, try this deep coloured wine with extra dark chocolate, you won’t be disappointed!
Cellaring for Alicante Bouschet
Enjoy a bottle NOW or cellar for up to 5-10 years.
Alicante Bouschet in Australia
Alicante Bouschet is reported to be heat tolerant and therefore can grow successfully in the warm climate of Australia. This wine is hard to come across, as there are so few plantings and wineries that take up the challenge to make it into a standalone wine. Our style of Alicante shows what can be achieved when you pay careful attention to the wine making process of vineyard to bottle. Our family was so excited to have had a grower in our small town of Red Cliffs, Victoria with Alicante vines. We did not hesitate to snap up this variety to create this red wine we are so proud of.
Where to buy Alicante Bouschet?
Right here at Cappa Stone! Our family has produced a beautiful and bold Alicante Bouschet wine, that is gorgeous in colour and will exceed your expectations.
