Garnacha
Alicante Bouschet is one of the few varietals with a tinged flesh, which has a deep purple colour. The phenolic content is high, as it’s not only present in the skin. The wines produced with this grape variety are usually powerful with a grassy and bitter finish together with a balanced acidity and alcohol. The malolactic fermentation softens the tannins and the grassy finish and therefore the wines get rounder. Another good option for this variety is the ageing in oak, as long as it’s not excessive. Most wines of Alicante Bouschet are aromatic (mainly resin and black fruit), thick and with a big mouthfeel. It’s a productive grape that allows severe pruning and which may easily be grown on a trellis system. Its cycle is not short and it’s not very resistant to fungal diseases. Particularly sensitive to downy mildew, excoriosis, grape moth, but less to botrytis and mites.
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AMPELOGRAPHIC DETAILS |
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YOUNG SHOOTS
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Distribution of anthocyanin pigmentation (shoot tips) |
Quite important (deep red) |
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Fuzz (or hair) density (shoot tips) |
High |
SHOOTS
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Growth |
Semi-creeping |
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Back side internode colour |
Green with deep red lines |
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Internodes fuzz (or hair) density |
Low |
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In August, shoots turn to yellowish light brown and deeply grooved. |
TENDRILS
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Length |
Long |
VINE STOCK
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Vigour |
Medium |
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Growth |
Rather recumbent |
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Budbreak |
Medium cycle |
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Ripening |
Early |
ADULT LEAF
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Size |
Medium |
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Leaf blade shape |
Orbicular hardly lobed |
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Swelling on the upper side |
Curved edges towards the underside |
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Serrations (shape and length) |
Straight, small and sharp |
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Petiolar sinus shape |
V-shaped (barely opened) |
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Petiole (shape and colour) |
Cylindrical, long and reddish green |
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Anthocyanin pigmentation of underside main veins |
Tinged |
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FOLIAR SINUS |
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Fuzz (or hair) density between veins (bent hairs) |
Scarce |
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Fuzz (or hair) density between veins (upright hairs) |
Scarce |
BUNCH / CLUSTER
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Size and compactness |
Medium |
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Petiole length |
Short |
BERRY
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Size |
Medium |
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Shape |
Spherical |
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Point of rupture |
Spherical and clearly apparent |
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Skin colour and thickness |
Bluish black and thick |
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Anthocyanin pigmentation of flesh |
Highly tinged (purple) |
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Special flavours |
Neutral |
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Pedicel detachment |
Easy |
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Seeds |
Yes |
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Main colour (without visible surface bloom) |
Purplish black |