Granada Wine Region in Southern Spain
Did you know the Granada province produces 5 million bottles of Wine per year?
So it wasn´t really until the 1990´s that the wine industry was reinstated in Granada province. The first area to be reintroduced was around the Altiplano de Sierra Nevada. If you enjoy this article you might also enjoy a Granada Wine Tasting when come to visit yourself.
D.O Vinos de Calidad de Granada
Since 2019 Granada´s wine region is known as Denominación de Origen Vinos de Calidad de Granada. This type of certification controls the types of varieties, geography and production methods used in the local wines.
- IGP Altiplano de Sierra Nevada Indicación Geográfica
Protegida - Cumbres del Guadalfeo
- Ladera del Genil
There is a fourth area called ´Contraviesa-Alpujarras´. Here in the town of Molvizar, they found the oldest wine making place in a Roman settlement. Called Lagar in Spanish it dates back to the 1st century.
Why Granada Wine is different to Spanish Wines
So you may be wondering what is special about wines grown in Granada. Here´s a quick overview:
- Vines are grown at altitude. Average 1200m2 above sea level.
- This region has huge Temperature Contrasts from the Daily Maximum to Minimum (All year around)
- Abundance of hours of sunshine (around 3000 per year)
- Few pests and disease allowing organic and natural wines to be successfully produced.
- There is also more mineralisation than other regions of Spain. Soil type is slate and clay.
- Late harvest between end of August and beginning of October.
Temperature Fluctuation
potential health benefits of wine, phenolics are considered the most important phytochemicals and have been given the greatest attention for their impact as an anti-oxidant constituent of wine, and for their ability to act as a free radical terminator and metal chelator.
Grape Varieties in Granada Wines
Authorized varieties for DOP Granada Wine:
White Varieties:
- Vijiriega
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Moscatel de Alejandría
- Moscatel de Grano Menudo – Morisca
- Pedro Ximénez
- Baladí Verdejo
- Palomino
- Torrontés
Red Varieties
- Tempranillo
- Garnacha
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Pinot Noir
- Monastrell
- Romé
- Petit Verdot
Sparkling Wine Varieties
- Vijiriega
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Moscatel de Alejandría
- Moscatel de Grano Menudo – Morisca
- Torrontés.
Authorized varieties in Region of Contraviesa-Alpujarra:
- White Wines: Vijiriega, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Moscatel and Baladí Verdejo.
- Red Wines: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Petit Verdot.
- Sparkling wines: Vijiriega, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Autochthonous Grape Varieties of Granada Wines
Local Granada Wine Producers
So you already know that there are over 60 producer in the Granada Wine Region, however there are several that have are more distinguished and which also have a good amount of distribution. Allowing you to actually find and more importantly be able to drink the wine!
Although it can be tricky to source Granada wines when you are outside the region. You can ask for them at local restaurants and find them in Supermarkets and specialist gourmet shops in most of Andalusia.
Let´s take a look at some of the most well known producers in Granada:
Fontedei
Located in Deifontes, Bodegas Fontedei, they produce up to 140,000 bottles of wine annually. Their vineyards are located at over 1200m and some are in Alhama de Granada.
This month I got to taste three of their wines:
Albayda – White Wine
- Zona: Alhama de Granada
- Colour: Light Yellow Wine
- Partially produced in French Oak Barrels (French barrels are superior to American Oak due to their artisanal nature. Increases the aromatic range of the wine but they also cost considerably more) French Oak maturing often adds a note of cinnamon flavours in the wine. The wine is left for 5 months with the yeast deposits which originally settled, increasing it´s aroma and flavour.
- Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc 80% – Chardonnay 20%
- Nose: Pineapple, Banana, Apple, Floral Notes, Complex Fragrance
- Taste: Medium Acidity. Enveloping balanced white.
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Lindaraja – Fontedei
- Colour: Deep Red Colour, Translucent.
- Grape varieties: Tempranillo + Syrah
- Made with 3 months in French Oak barrels.
- Nose: Vanilla, Blackcurrant, Raisin, toasted notes.
- Taste: Medium Acidity. Astrigency. Complex.
- Alcohol: 14%
- Pairing Notes: Game, Meat. Strong Flavour profiles. Mature cheeses.
Garnata 2015 – Fontedei (*My Pick)
- Colour: Intense cherry red colour.
- Grape varieties: Garnacha Syrah
- Limited production of under 10,000 bottles. This Reserva Red Wine is matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.
- Nose: Balsamic notes, light aroma of tobacco
- Taste: Mature fruits, balsamic notes, velvet texture, lasting notes.
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Pairing Notes: Game, Red Meats. Stews. Mature and Blue cheeses.
- RPP around 23 euros.
Señorio de Nevada
Perhaps one of the most well known is the Hotel + Winery Señorio de Nevada located in Villamena, a short drive South from Granada. A great venue on the edge of Lecrin Valley for events, weddings and just having lunch : )
Señorío de Nevada have three red wines labelled Gold, Silver and Bronze. They also have a Rosé and some white wines too. I have visited many times over the years but on my most recent trip there I got to taste three wines.
Competitively priced between 9 euros – 20 euros per bottle they are one of the Granada brands with the biggest distribution. Some wines are exported internationally.
From this bodega I would recommend
- The Gold label wine Señorío de Nevada Oro is made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha. Aged for at least 11 months in French and American oak barrels.
- Their White wine Vino Blanco Señorío de Nevada which is made with Viognier and Vijiriego varieties. With pineapple and stone fruit fragrance and persistant flavour when tasted.
More Granada Wine Producers
Bodegas H. Calvente
Bodegas Calvente is a local favourite, located in Jete, close to the Costa Tropical. Their most known wine is a delicious elegant wine with the family name, Calvente. Made from Alexandria Moscatel Grape. This producer also bottles four red wines, two sparkling wines called Rania, a Rosé Wine and three white wines.
Bodega Barranco Oscuro
With some of the highest grapevines in Europe, Barrano Oscuro has their vines at Cerro Las Monjas at 1368 metres above sea level. (4547ft). Especially known for their natural wines. They produce very limited numbers of each wine. Around 3000 bottles of each of the 14 of so wines.
Bodegas in Granada province
There are many other bodegas in Granada province worth mentioning. Some of the ones I am most familiar with are:
- Anchurón located in Darro this family run vineyard mainly produces Red wines.
- Alqueria de Morayma produce around 9000 bottles per year, in the Alpujarra it´s one of the few locations where you can actually visit and stay there.
- Bodegas Al Zagal in Northern Granada, this vineyard is close to Guadix in the Altiplano region. Their Red wine Rey Zagal is amongst one of their award winning wines.
- Pago de Almaraes in Benalua are reknown for their white wine called Mencal. Although they do produce Red and Rosé wines too. The bodega is open to visitors.
- Bodega Aranzada are in Alhama de Granada and have a delicious dessert wine called ´Romantico Dulce´.
- Bodegas Muñana another vineyard that can be visited. They are in a town called Cortes y Graena in the North of Granada province. Book ahead.
- Vertijana this wine can often be found in local Granada restaurants. The bodega is in Polícar and their vines are 1200metres above sea level.
So there is much more to Spanish Red Wines than you thought. Although most people have heard of Rioja or even Ribera del Duero, there are so many others to discover.
You may also like to read:
- Montilla Moriles Wine Region; Local Flavours in Andalusia
- Discovering Local Wines + Raisins at Malaga Wine Museum
- Vegan Food Pairing – Zero Mile Produce Tagarninas & Sherry Wine in Spain
Granada Wine Region – D.O Vinos de Calidad de Granada
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