Graciano is a red wine grape that is grown primarily in Rioja.
Graciano has many complex, aromatic, dark fruit flavours (Blackberry, Plum, Mulberry), floral flavours like Violet and Mint, and spice flavors like Pepper, Cinnamon and Liquorice:
Blackberry |
Plum |
Mulberry |
Violet |
Mint |
Licorice |
Pepper |
Cinnamon |
Most Graciano wines are aged in wood barrelse adding Vanilla, Toast and Leather to the flavor profile:
Oak |
Vanilla |
Toast |
Leather |
Graciano wines are full-bodied with medium to high strong acidity and smooth tannins:
BODY: | Full |
TANNINS: | Medium - High |
FRUIT: | Medium |
ACIDITY: | Medium - High |
ALCOHOL: | 14% ABV |
Serving temperatures: 17-18°C (63-64°F) |
Graciano pairs best with food and dishes of equal complexity.
Classic pairings are spicy Sausages, spicy Lamb and spicy Pork:
Chorizo |
Chili |
Spicy Pizza |
Mexi Burger |
Hot Stew |
Pork |
Lamb |
BBQ |
Tapas. Olives. Cold Cuts.
Grilled Chorizo. Mexican Chorizo.
Spicy Sausages. Spicy Pasta. Spicy Pizza.
Savory Stews. Moroccan Tagine.
Pork Osso Bucco.
BBQ. Barbeque Brisket.
Red Pepper Dishes.
Tacos. Nachos. Burritos.
Chili con Carne.
Lamb-stuffed Green Pepper.
The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
Graciano is difficult to grow, but the grape is a key component of Gran Reservas wines from Rioja and Navarra.
The grape produces powerfully aromatic dark wines with an intense flavour.
Graciano’s spiciness, acidity and tannin make it the perfect blending partner for lighter grapes like Garnacha and Tempranillo.
Rioja is a famous wine region in the north-central part of Spain. It is Spain’s largest red wine producing region with over 600 wineries and an annual production of over 400 million bottles.
The Rioja region is a denominación de origen calificada, "Qualified Designation of Origin (D.O.Ca)", the highest category in Spanish wine regulation.
Rioja wines ares made from grapes grown in La Rioja and Navarre, and the Basque province of Álava.
The key appellations are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (previously Rioja Baja).
Rioja Alta is Located on the western side of Rioja. It has an Atlantic climate, and its soils consist of iron-rich clay mixed with limestone. Thanks to the elevation and cooler temperatures, Rioja Alta wines have more tannin and higher acidity than Rioja Oriental, and they are often more elegant.
Rioja Alavesa is the smallest of the Rioja regions. It is located between the Ebro River and the rocky mass of the Sierra Cantabria. The wines bear a high resemblance to the wines of Rioja Alta with high tannins and high acidity.
The vineyards here are located at high altitudes, resulting in cooler temperatures that aid in the acquisition acid levels and good colour. The soil is rich in chalky clay, limestone and sand.
The wines from Rioja Oriental (Rioja East), formerly the Rioja Baja (Rioja Low) are fruit-forward and the wineries focus on wines designed to drink young.
The region is best known for high-quality Rioja Wines.
A typical Rioja blend consists of 60% Tempranillo ("the Grape of Spain") and 20% Garnacha along with other fruity additives like Mazuelo (Cariñena) and Graciano.
Viura (Macabéo) is the dominant white grape in Rioja, accounting for 70% of white varieties.
Viura is also found in France, particularly in Roussillon and the Languedoc, where it is called Maccabeo or Maccabeu.
Nine white varieties is allowed to use in white Rioja: Viura, Malvasía Riojana, Garnacha Blanca, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco and Torrontés.
Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925. In 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time.
Black Grapes | White Grapes |
88% Tempranillo |
70% Viura (Macabeo) |
Red Wines | White Wines |
Viura (Macabeo) |
|
Soil | Climate |
Rioja Alta: Rioja Alavesa:
Rioja Oriental (Baja): |
Hilly Riverbanks. |
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